A FOOTBALL club's charity arm has received royal recognition.

The Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation won the Duke of York's Community Initiative, which is awarded annually to organisations judged to be making a real difference in their communities.

MFC Foundation, the independent charity arm of Middlesbrough Football Club, was among seven North Yorkshire community groups and a total of 34 organisations from across the United Kingdom presented the award by HRH The Duke of York, at a ceremony at the University of Huddersfield.

The foundation started life as Middlesbrough Football Club in the Community in 1996, Now, almost 20 years later, it helps more than 35,000 each year, in education, health, social inclusion and participation in sport.

Head of MFC Foundation Helena Bowman said: “To see our work receive a royal recognition of excellence is a massive boost for everyone involved with our organisation, and the award opens the door for a host of new and exciting opportunities.”