Wolves have today announced a community led partnership with Indian Premier League side, JCT Football Club (www.jctfootball.com).
Jez Moxey and first team coach, Terry Connor, toured JCT FC's new stadium site and training ground in Horshiarpur, Punjab, before Terry took a short training session with JCT FC's youth team squad.
Jez then attended a press conference with Samir Thapar, president of JCT FC, to unveil the new partnership in front of India's national media and top officials from the Indian Football Federation. Also in attendance was Pat McFadden MP, the driving force behind the Wolverhampton-India Project which has played a key role in creating the link between the two clubs.
JCT Football Club was formed in 1971 by JCT Limited, a leading Textile producer. It is one of the top teams in India and finished third in the I-League season 2007-08. JCT were also the runners-up of the National Football League for season 2006 - 07.
The agreement will see exchange visits between the two clubs' academy staff. They will also share best practice on a range of matters from community involvement and development through to club administration. Wolves will be keeping its supporters up-to-date with JCT FC news via its official website: www.wolves.co.uk
Today's announcement forms an important part of the Wolverhampton-India partnership, a collaboration of businesses, education and public sector bodies in Wolverhampton. The creator of the initiative is Wolverhampton-based MP, Pat McFadden, and the participants include: Wolverhampton University and College, Wolverhampton City Council, Wolverhampton Schools, the Wolverhampton Development Company. A delegation of high-level representatives from each organisation, UK Trade and Investment and the Chambers of Commerce is in India this week to progress the project
Pat said: "The Wolverhampton-India Project is about Trade, Education and Sport and strengthening the already strong ties that the City of Wolverhampton has with the Punjab. "Wolves has one of the biggest Punjabi supporters clubs in the UK, the 'Punjabi Wolves.' Therefore, a link with one of India's strongest football clubs makes perfect sense and we are delighted to be here today with our friends at JCT and are tremendously excited about the potential of this exciting relationship between the two clubs."
Jez Moxey, added: "We are very proud to form this partnership with JCT FC. Both clubs are dedicated to building a long-term relationship, which puts community and youth development at its very heart. The coming months will see the first in a series of exchange visits between coaches and backroom staff. We'll be keeping our supporters up-to-date with all the JCT FC news and we're sure that our fans will get right behind this new partnership.
"I'd like to thank Samir Thapar, and everyone at JCT FC, for the tremendous welcome that has been extended to us. I'd also like to thank Pat McFadden MP and the members of the Wolverhampton / India partnership for playing a key role in making today's announcement possible."
Samir Thapar, President of JCT Mills FC, commented: "Our partnership with Wolves FC is based on establishing solid principles for a long term relationship between our two clubs. Sharing of knowledge and coaching skills will support and strengthen JCT FC's focus on developing football in Punjab at the grass roots level. JCT is a truly locally-based team with 70% of our players being boys from Punjab.
"I would like to acknowledge the efforts made by Jez Moxey, Pat McFadden MP and Jas Bains for making this partnership a reality and would like to thank them for coming all the way to India to be with us today. "
Pictured: Samir Thapar, President of JCT Mills FC, with Pat McFadden MP and Wolves' CEO Jez Moxey.
