THE Football School at local club Highbury Wolves are delighted to welcome new sponsors as they kick off the 2026/2027 season.
Specsavers Islington has sponsored the home kit for the U12–U13s girls youth team, helping players take to the pitch with confidence as they begin their new season.

Store partners Rajesh Chandegra, Hithika Patel and Veronika Nazarova have provided £300 in sponsorship, reinforcing the store’s ongoing commitment to supporting community initiatives that help local young people thrive.

Established in 2011, Highbury Football School is a highly respected club who play in the established Market Road Youth League across London. Their training ground is based at the brand-new Barnard Park Astroturf situated on Copenhagen Street in Islington.

The club provide fun, affordable, high-quality football coaching sessions which aim to accommodate all levels of ability for children, boys and girls, aged four to eighteen years old.

A keen football fan himself, Rajesh Chandegra says the sponsorship was a natural fit. ‘As a locally owned and run business, we are very community focused and football has an incredible ability to bring people together. So, we’re delighted to be able to support the U12–U13s girls youth team.

‘We’re also very much looking forward to supporting some of the league matches and seeing how the team progress during the season. In addition, we’ve offered to ensure they are match fit with sight tests and contact lens trials.’

Today the club fields over 16 youth teams, ranging from U8 to U18, for boys and girls, with children as young as four years old joining football training sessions. The club are committed to continuing to offer local children, boys and girls, the opportunity to develop their skills and prowess on the football pitch.

David Scrafton, Owner and Head Coach, said: ‘We at Highbury Wolves Youth FC are very proud that the store partners from Specsavers Islington have given their support and sponsorship for the 2026/2027 season. Their support is invaluable in ensuring we can offer our players the best opportunities with excellent coaching and training facilities.

‘Football unites all ages and backgrounds and helps to foster a sense of belonging and team spirit. Participating in a Youth League also helps to develop the children’s outlook with regard to sport, focussing on their wellbeing and fitness along with gaining confidence – all of which helps to enhance their confidence and self-esteem.’

Specsavers recommend that adults and children should have an eye test at least every two years, or more often if advised by their optician. The NHS will cover the full cost of an eye test for anyone who qualifies. All children under 16, as well as those under 19 in full-time education, are entitled to an NHS funded eye test.