As Winskill Park Rangers approach their 29th game as an undefeated side on November 30, founder Lee Winskill reflects on using his passion for football to raise thousands for charity.
If someone cupped their ears towards opposing football players after celebrating a goal, you would assume they were playing a fierce fixture against rivals.
Lee Winskill cupped his ears to some of his own colleagues at a charity tournament.
“It egged me on as they were giving me grief,” Winskill told me with a sly grin. He had just scored his fifth goal at the McDonald’s Cup for his side’s B-team after being heckled by his younger A-team counterparts, despite his defensive position.
Winskill is recognisable in West Sussex as a karaoke singer and hospitality manager at formerly McDonald’s and now Establo Lounge – but he is arguably most known for his charity work raised through football matches.
The 42-year-old leads Winskill Park Rangers, a charity football team that has been fundraising for various causes for over 15 years.
“We started off as a little McDonald’s team entering the tournament, which we won,” said Winskill; “I ended up starting a 6-a-side team, and we went from there.”
“We started off bottom of the league but repeatedly kept winning the league, and after that we decided to expand.”
During his McDonald’s days, Winskill raised over £8,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities through his football initiatives, earning the award of Shift Manager of the South of England for his work.
“That was a nice bit of recognition,” Winskill candidly stated; “then I left McDonald’s and went to work for The Harvester, but I continued the team on.”
His passion for football is only rivalled by his passion for fundraising, and his eyes lit up when explaining his team’s success. He reeled off scores and moments from games: 16-1, 8-4, a headed goal, a comeback result.
“I’ve been playing football for, God knows, a long, long time… I think every young lad’s dream is to play as much as he can.
“I’ve got some dodgy knees, but it doesn’t stop my love and passion for football.”
Winskill Park Rangers are on a 28-game unbeaten run since their inception as an 11-a-side outfit, a run driven by their founder’s competitive nature during games.
“Lee’s a completely different person on the pitch,” said Steven Ayache, a teammate and friend of over 25 years.
“He hates losing and he’s very passionate. But anything he says on the football pitch, as soon as the game is over, he forgets about it and he gets along with everyone.”
“If I could have one skill from him, it’s the way he can talk to anyone and make everyone so welcome. He’s always helpful and he always goes out of his way to help anyone he can.”
Winskill recognises that friends like Ayache have helped to grow Winskill Park Rangers as a community for fundraising through football.
“It’s mainly a good group of friends,” said Winskill; “If I organise a game, I can put it on my social media and people just make themselves available for me. I’m quite lucky to have such a good bunch of lads available.”
Winskill Park Rangers next play on November 30 against Sands United. They have played each other before in support of baby loss charity Sands, but on this occasion money raised will go towards Winskill’s charity of choice: St. Peter and St. Paul Pantry, Rustington.
The Pantry provide food for people struggling in the local community and are the charity partner of café bar Establo Lounge, where Winskill works at as Assistant Manager.
“We’re going to raise a hell of a lot for them,” he said, regarding a church charity.
“With a game pretty much every month, they get quite a bit of dosh out of us. Every time we go there and give them a big wad of cash, they’re absolutely over the moon. It’s nice to see their faces beaming.”
Charlie and Grace Sims, who run the Pantry, confirmed their appreciation of the fundraising.
“We are truly grateful to Lee, he’s actually one in a million,” said Grace. “Other people do support us, but he really does know how to spread the word and put so much fun and joy into it.”
Establo Lounge also run quiz nights on Wednesdays to support the Pantry, which Winskill often heads.
“They know how grateful we are,” added Charlie; “It’s all local, it’s all part of the community. There’s always a danger you meet someone and the novelty wears off… Lee doesn’t do that, he’s great to have on your team.”
Although often the one providing help, Winskill praised Rare Breed Clothing for their financial support, who sponsor his side’s kits and matches.
“We’ve been quite lucky,” said Winskill; “we’ve got a gentleman who’s come on board who runs Rare Breed, he’s a regular to Establo. He’s bought us kits, jackets and footballs.
“The game on November 30 is being sponsored by Rare Breed, so it’s nice to have that sort of backing now. We’ve got two brand new kits. When we turn up and we play teams, we look the business – no disrespect to the McDonald’s kit!”
Winskill is eyeing his side’s next match as not only an opportunity to raise money for the Pantry, but also to extend the 28-game unbeaten run.
“With this one, at Littlehampton Town FC, someone being on the gate, people come down, the lights being on, the bar being open… It’s a chance to fill up with locals around the area.
“Hopefully, the big 29 games still undefeated. The lads are really up for it, it’s good.”
Winskill doesn’t plan to stop there. Monthly games is the target – with a possible ‘Winskill derby’ in the pipelines.
“I would like to organise a game against my old store at McDonald’s, because that’s where it all started.
“I’ve been in there a few times and some young lads say: ‘you’re Lee Winskill, you used to run the team here’, and I say; ”yeah, still unbeaten as well’.”
You can support St. Peter and St. Paul Pantry by visiting https://www.sspeterandpaul-rustington.org.uk/pantry/ or calling 07421 519574.