A Kenilworth football club with a rapidly-growing membership in the wake of the Lionesses' success has thanked two local businesses after they renewed a sponsorship deal.

Kenilworth Wardens Junior Football Club will receive £2,000 from Talisman Shopping Centre and Leamington-based commercial property agents Wareing & Company after they continued to sponsor the shirts of all its boys' teams following an initial deal made in early 2021.

The sponsorship will enable the club to help cover rising costs in running the not-for-profit, volunteer-led club, and allow its coaches to undergo new training courses now required by the FA.

Kenilworth Wardens has seen rapid growth of its membership – especially among girls – since the England women's football team's runner-up position at the 2023 World Cup and its triumph at the 2022 European Championships.

Andrew Watts, from Kenilworth Wardens, said: "A few years ago, we didn't have a girls' section at all. But thanks to the efforts of the Lionesses, it's our fastest growing section with 70 players across six teams.

"We're also seeing an increase in membership on the boys' side too, which shows it's not just young girls who England have inspired.

"Despite this success, pitch hire costs have increased which has not made things easy for us. Generous sponsorship deals can make such a difference to a club like ours.

"That's why we must thank Talisman Shopping Centre and Wareing & Company for renewing their sponsorship – it really means a lot."

Talisman Shopping Centre in the heart of Kenilworth has been home to independent Kenilworth businesses and well-known brands for a number of years.

Hugo Hawkings, chief executive of Discovery Properties, the developers of Talisman Shopping Centre, added: "Kenilworth Wardens does so much for the local community, and it's great to hear how much their membership is growing in response to the higher profile of women's football and recent success of the England women's team.

"We were only too happy to renew our sponsorship, and we wish them all the best this season."

Commercial property consultants Wareing & Company was founded by Bill Wareing in 2001, and has acted on many key deals in Kenilworth including the recent letting of the former Poundland at The Square to Wetherspoons.

Bill added: "We first started this sponsorship when Covid-19 threatened the future of the club, which was a valuable lifeline to Wardens.

"And with the club looking towards the future as its membership grows, renewing our sponsorship was an easy decision."

To find out more about Kenilworth Wardens and for information on joining the club, visit the website or email [email protected].

For enquires about the girls' team specifically, contact [email protected]