Leaders of a boys club expressed their gratitude after receiving much-needed funding from Boreham Wood FC.

Brookside Boys' Club in Buxton Way, Borehamwood, were given more than £2,000 by the semi-professional side as they hosted a fun day at their Meadow Park ground in Broughinge Road on Saturday.

The boys’ club has been run by husband and wife duo Dick, 84, and Vera Clark, 80, for the past 40 years and they revealed their joy at the “unexpected” contribution.

Mr Clark said: “This came totally out of the blue for us. We received a call from Danny (Boreham Wood deputy chairman) saying they were making the contribution to us and we were over the moon.

“We don’t get regular funding from anywhere so to gain this was crucial to us still going.”

The club faced hard times last year when it needed to raise more than £6,000 to stay afloat.

Mrs Clark added: “It is not always easy and I worry about finances every day. Every penny counts and we are so grateful to the club.

“We are the only club round here that offers children the chance to play a range of sports in a controlled environment. I dread to think where the children would go - probably out causing mischief on the streets. It helps them burn off energy in a safe and controlled environment.”

Callum Brown, eight, took part in the fun day, which lasted for three hours, giving children of all ages a chance to have a free football match before Boreham Wood kicked off against Chelmsford Town. The home side won a seven-goal thriller 4-3.

He said: “We played on the Astroturf pitches, which are really nice and the whole day was fun. My favourite part of the day was scoring two free-kicks.”