Ipswich Town children's team given frame revamp by college

Pupils on car-related courses at Suffolk New College gave the frames used by the Ipswich Town Foundation Frame Football squad a stylish makeover.

Five-year-old Cooper Leatherey with his mum Sarah (right) and Suffolk New College lecturer Richard Glover (left). Credit: Suffolk New College (Image: Suffolk New College)

The freshly styled frames were handed over to the squad earlier in the season and one of the star performers from the team, the coach and the director of the Ipswich Town Foundation came down to Portman Road to thank the learners for their efforts.

Five-year-old Cooper Leatherey, from Ipswich, is one of the squad's star players. 

He said: "Football is my favourite and I support Ipswich.

"I like the colours of my frame.

"I’m happy the students painted it blue and white."

Cooper's mum, Sarah Leatherey, added: "It’s given him the same playing level as everyone else in terms of balance and co-ordination.

"It’s lovely that the students have done this. The fact they wanted to take part in this project is huge."

Eoin McNamee is Ipswich Town Foundation Frame Football squad coach.

He said: "The squad became part of the Ipswich Town Foundation two months ago.

L-R: Suffolk New College student, Connor Cobbold, Cooper Leatherey and ITFC frame football coach, Eoin McNamee. Credit: Suffolk New College (Image: Suffolk New College)

"They wear the same colours as the first team so they feel part of the club. It’s great to have a link with Suffolk New College.

"The paint job is impeccable and it’s nice to see the pride in the faces of the students when they saw the youngsters using the frames."

18-year-old Connor Cobbold is an Ipswich Town fan and studies level three accident repair at the College.

"We got the frames, stripped all the paint off and repainted them in the ITFC colours," he said. 

"I feel privileged to have been given this opportunity to help these children."