THE Queen’s cousin dropped in on Droylsden youth centre on Thursday.But the Duke of Gloucester wasn’t there to spar with young boxers or don his kit for a game of football – as patron of the Federation of Boys Clubs he was visiting as part of its centenary year celebrations.
And the grandson of George V was very impressed with what he saw at the Lewis Road centre.
"I think it’s good publicity for the club especially with us bidding for funding for this new complex," said club leader Alan Bradbury.
"We’re really pleased to have a member of the royal family visiting our club – it’s the first time a royal has been to the club.
"I think the kids were very excited and I thought it was a nice touch that he took time out to speak to them as well. They were all very proud to be able to display their skills in front of a member of the royal family."
The children did a display of boxing and football techniques as His Royal Highness was led around the whole site. He was also shown plans for the club’s proposed £1m state of the art new centre.
Before leaving, he made a speech where he told the children how impressed he had been with their skills and said in Manchester he didn’t expect any less of the city’s footballers!
He said: "It’s been a great pleasure for me to come to Manchester and in particular to come to this youth centre and also to see the plans for your new building which looks most impressive.
"I hope you get the money together and then you will be an even better club."
