ABSTRACT
Football in the Community (FitC) schemes have been operating within football clubs in the UK for a number of decades. The rise of corporate social responsibility (CSR) within the broader societal context has resulted in these schemes being championed as a delivery arm for CSR through community engagement. Alongside this, FitC schemes (and community sport) have received unprecedented funding and support for sport based social change projects (i.e., crime, social inclusion and health). This enthusiasm to champion (and fund) football as a key vehicle to tackle social agendas has not been matched with funding to support research and evaluation. Across FitC schemes very little is known about day-to-day working practice and the effectiveness of their work tackling social issues. This case study explores a unique collaborative research project between a Premier League Football Club (Everton Football Club), a corporate funder and a higher education department. The chapter aims to explore the process of monitoring and evaluation within this collaborative environment to effectively improve working practices and the effectiveness of the FitC scheme. It also aims to provide the reader with an understanding of the realities of developing and delivering monitoring and evaluation within an FitC scheme. The chapter concludes with some key recommendations for practitioners seeking to develop effective monitoring and evaluation within their organization.
