A football club at the heart of its community has been hailed as “being more like a family” and for helping to change lives.

High Sheriff of Hertfordshire Annie Brewster JP visited Oxhey Jets on Tuesday to thank founder and general manager John Elliott and his team at the club for the work they do in the South Oxhey community.

She said: “Oxhey Jets is a simply brilliant community club, more like a family.

“I am amazed at how large the club has become since John formed it back in 1972 from a Boys Brigade team so that under-12s had the opportunity to play competitive football.

“You have changed so many lives and continue to do so. Thank you!”

The High Sheriff’s focus for her year in office is ‘Sport for Good’, aimed at breaking down barriers for people of all ages to engage in physical activity.

She is passionate about the benefits of sport and physical activity in health and mental well-being, social inclusion, community cohesion and improved educational achievement.

During her visit, the High Sheriff also met Steve Maker from the Hertfordshire Football Association and the Football Foundation’s Joe Cherrington who are working on the Boundary Stadium project to deliver better sports facilities for South Oxhey.

The meeting was to review the current situation and to identify what needs to be done to progress the project to meet the demand for better football facilities in South Oxhey and to encourage increased participation and fitness in sports.

John said: "Annie understands the importance of sport in developing youth and providing recreational activities for all ages.

“We are very excited about our future as we look to deliver our project to make major improvements in the facilities here in South Oxhey".