Boreham Wood FC will present a cheque to a boys’ club which created hundreds of lifelong friendships and gave a “true sense of belonging”.

Brookside Boys’ Club will be given the £2,000 ahead of the team’s home game against Chelmsford FC on Saturday, April 5.

The team, which play at Meadow Park, Broughinge Road, were able to donate the money after winning the first round of the FA Cup earlier this year.

This gave them access to a ‘funding pool’ of money raised at last year’s charity shield, for a worthy cause of their choice.

Chairman Danny Hunter, who was a member of the Buxton Way club in his youth, said: “Most of us were all off the council estates and a bit rough round the edges, but we were all close.

“Looking back, we wanted something to belong to and Brookside helped with that and our friendships.

“We had more freedom back then and learnt to become independent at an earlier age. We had great times but we were lucky as we had great people wrapped round us at the club.”

The Buxton Way, Borehamwood club was first opened by businessman Henry Redman in 1965, and for the last fourty years has been run by grandparents Dick and Vera Clark.

The cheque will be presented by former European and world middleweight boxing champion Darren Baker on the pitch before Saturday’s game.

Back in the 1970s, the club was well known for its boxing lessons and for helping boys control their aggression in a safe environment.

Mr Hunter added the club is a huge community asset in Borehamwood, and will always have a special place in his heart.

He said: “I am totally in awe of Dick Clark - his civic duty, his kindness, his energy and his unbelievable memory for the smallest of details, is simply amazing.

“Back then, the one thing we all had in common was our love for Dick, Vera, Henry and the club, though how they put up with us, heaven knows.

“We were all very proud of our club, these people and our town.”

He has also promised to give all the under 14s who attend Brookside a free season ticket, and will arrange a reunion session to reminisce about the club.

Children of all ages and their are invited to see the cheque presentation and take part in a free training session, as well as meet Darren Baker.

They will be given a free complimentary ticket to the game and a tour of the stadium, as well as a look at the new West Stand.

The day will begin at 12.15pm. For more information, call Charlie Hunter on 020 8953 5716 or email c_hunterhunter@hotmail.com