Ex-Premier League stars and former Pilgrims defender passing on tips to Boston United Community players and coaches

Two former Premier League players and an ex-Pilgrims defender are among the guests passing on their expertise to members of Boston United Community Football Club.

A series of online lockdown Q&A sessions are being hosted by the club for coaches and players, ranging from the junior sides right up to the veterans of the walking football teams.

The first session saw hometown hero Matt Hocking - who scored the goal to secure Boston's Football League status in 2003 - answer questions from his home in California last week.

Tonight will see Danny Butterfield, the former Boston Grammar School pupil who turned out for Grimsby Town, Crystal Palace and Southampton during his playing career - log on.

Former Manchester United Premier League winner Luke Chadwick and Matthew Dye, head of Peterborough United's academy, will be among the future guests.

"The first session was really good, we had about 107 people in total," said Mark Thompson, youth development phase lead and one of the event organisers.

"We put it out to the whole club, from the under sevens all the way up to walking football. It's club-wide, trying to get some educational engagement."

The idea of the Q&As is to maintain togetherness and learning during the current lockdown period.

"Because it's a mid-season lockdown we wanted to keep it educational, and we've got some really good people booked in," Mr Thompson added.

"We also want to make them interesting and treat it more as an enforced break in the season rather than a shut down.

"We're really trying to push the community feel within the club.

"We just want to maintain high standards, in line with the first team. They'll keep trying to raise their standards but the whole club wants to keep raising its standards."

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