They're lovin' it: McDonalds link up with Southdown footballers

Southdown FC have had new backing from Burgess Hill's McDonalds restaurant

Burgess Hill’s McDonald’s restaurant has announced a new partnership with Southdown Football Club.

The partnership will see the restaurant support Southdown with the donation of kits, coaching hours and other football essentials.

The sponsorship will help 100-plus junior players at Southdown FC from four-year-olds to U11s and U15s.

In 2020, Burgess Hill franchisee Ismet Turen passed away and his daughter Yas Turen is passionate about continuing her father’s legacy by supporting grassroots football in the community with this new partnership.

The collaboration follows many years of successful sponsorship with Newhaven FC, which led to the Newhaven restaurant and Yas being crowned 2020 Football Restaurant of the Year in the Grassroots Football Awards.

The Burgess Hill team are hoping to replicate the same enthusiasm and creative experiences for Southdown FC.

Yas is a sports enthusiast and is thrilled to be able to engage and support at such a local level once again.

A game has already been staged to kick off the partnership. More than 50 kids joined in for a friendly kick-about, with training involved.

Yas, Burgess Hill McDonald’s franchisee,, said: “I’m proud of what we’ve achieved with our ongoing partnership with Newhaven FC and Newhaven under-23 manager Kieran Ridley put us in touch with Ian Hadingham, chairman at Southdown FC.”

Hadingham said: “We are the oldest football club in Burgess Hill. This recent collaboration with Burgess Hill McDonald’s outlines all parties’ commitment to supporting the local community.”