Our Story

Strong began as a Ltd company on the Fylde Coast, founded on the belief that football could do more than entertain, it could heal, connect, and empower.

The first project to emerge under Strong was Dare to Win: a group of ordinary lads from Blackpool documenting the everyday realities of being middle-aged blokes. It was about honesty and connection, shining a light on both the struggles and the victories of day-to-day life.

Building on that ethos, Strong launched the Monday night football session, open to all men aged 18+. These weekly kickabouts created a safe space for lads to come together, enjoy football, and find support without judgement.

From the Sessions, a natural step forward was forming an 11-a-side Sessions football team, giving participants the chance to represent Strong on the pitch, strengthen bonds, and compete as a team.

In 2024, recognising its growth and wider community role, Strong transitioned from a Ltd company into Strong Football Community C.I.C.. This move reflected not just a name change, but a shift in identity: from a single project to a community-wide grassroots initiative, dedicated to mental health, wellbeing, and inclusion.

By 2025, Strong’s commitment to inclusion went further. Acknowledging that football on the Fylde Coast is already highly competitive, Strong agreed to sponsor and support a women’s netball team, opening up new opportunities for women to connect through sport. From this, the Strong Ravens were born, taking to the court for their first season under the Strong FC C.I.C. banner in September 2025.

Today, Strong Football Community is FA-accredited and continues to build on its foundations from Dare to Win, to the Sessions, to 11-a-side football, and now the Strong Ravens. What started as a simple idea has grown into a movement: more than football, a community that dares to win.