MORE than 1,200 school children went home happy thanks to a football shirt giveaway by Accrington Stanley.

Year three primary pupils from across Hyndburn visited the Wham Stadium to be given brand new Stanley football shirts and goodie bags of gifts.

The club carried out the initiative to mark its 50th anniversary and will be repeating the giveaway to year three pupils ever year for the next five years.

Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman said he hopes the initiative will help build the next generation of fans.

He said: "I think you have to try and enthral the youngsters and build a next generation of supporters. We don't get enough at the moment, full stop.

"We can't knock the ones who come but the more people who come and are exposed to the atmosphere, the style of football that we play and the passion of the crowd, it might encourage people.

"If we get 50 kids or 100 kids deciding to make Accrington Stanley their main team and they decide to come with their parents then it boosts the gate and that is the way we have got to go.

"It is an absolutely fantastic gesture, and they get a top quality kit as well."

Every school also got the opportunity to have a group picture with two of the players themselves, Sean McConville and Billy Kee

Children were transported by bus to the stadium, as David Burgess, managing director of Accrington Stanley, drove a mini bus with children from Green Haworth School to the Wham Stadium.

Andy Holt, Stanley chairman, said: "It is very fitting to mark the 50th anniversary by giving a shirt to every year three primary school pupil in the Hyndburn area.

"I will be repeating this every year for the next five years in the hope it brings us closer to the community.

"I want it to inspire youths to take pride in their home town club by feeling part of the borough and supporting their local team.”

Accrington Town Crier, Rawden Kerr, entertained guests at the event while Hyndburn Council leader Cllr Miles Parkinson also attended.

Accrington and Rossendale College, Celebrate Gifts and Hyndburn Leisure Trust all donated items to go in the pupils goodie bags.