A GESTURE of goodwill has seen a football club’s energy bill cut by more than £3,000.

Lawford Lads and Lawford Juniors, who have been fundraising for a £300,000 clubhouse, were hit with a £5,495 bill from energy provider Eon.

The FA Cup sponsor was charging the clubs to make up for cash it had neglected to charge them since 2003.

Talks between Andy Rudd, Lawford Lads chairman, and MP Bernard Jenkin, meant the bill was cut to £3,594 on the condition the amount was paid in full.

Mr Rudd has now received a letter stating the clubs will only be given a backdated charge for 12 months, which comes to a toal of £1,960.

He said: “It is excellent – it is in the spirit of goodwill and Christmas. This is really good news – it was a huge amount of money.”

Just weeks ago the two clubs had resolved their differences, which had been ongoing for more than 20 years, to come together for a joint project, which hopes to see a new pavilion at the School Lane site.

A spokesman from Eon said: “After further conversations with Lawford Football Club, we have agreed to apply the spirit of the billing code, and have reduced the bill to cover only the past year’s energy use.”