Emma Hayes’ family were among those at a press conference at The Underworld in Camden Town

CAMDEN-born coach Emma Hayes might be in charge of the best women’s football team in the world, but that doesn’t mean she’s ever forgotten about the grassroots game back home.

The US women’s national team manager has been busy facing the media this week ahead of their friendly against England this Saturday at Wembley.

Hayes’ love for the borough was clear to see on Monday morning when she invited friends and family to join her for a somewhat bizarre press conference at – wait for it – The Underworld nightclub in Camden Town.

That’s where, in an exclusive interview with the New Journal, the 48-year-old multi-award-winning coach talked about a worldie of an assist she recently made helping the Regent’s Park Youth League net £100,000.

Working as a sports development officer in West Euston, Hayes was part of a crack team that helped the league to flourish in those early years following its inception back in 1999, alongside her dad Sid, Will Cave, Kirsty Pealling, Richard Louch, Vicky Finley and Ash Rahman.

So it’s little surprise that the competition still remains close to her heart. “I managed to get some money from Nike so that we could make a donation of £100,000 to help develop coaches and officials, and whatever the league needs,” said Hayes.

Hayes’ USA side will face England on Saturday

“I’m passionate about the league, and Will deserves so much credit, he really does, for the work he’s done to build, and develop, and maintain that league.

“The community needs to recognise Will for everything that he’s done, they really do. He’s been an incredible community leader; scores of volunteers and coaches have helped along the way, but Will’s been the stable.

“I worked with Will in sports development when we started this process, and I’m so proud to see the league has gone on and is flourishing.”

Praising the unsung heroes, Hayes, who grew up on the Curnock Street Estate in Camden Town, added: “It’s community leaders, it’s Camden Sports Development, it’s the likes of Will and Kirsty Pealling and the work they’ve done, and sports development as a whole, in providing the foundations, that have ensured that we can give our kids a place to play.”

Earmarking where just some of the money will be spent, Mr Cave said: “I want to start by thanking Emma and the Nike Foundation for their generosity. It adds to the Hayes family legacy – I’m not sure where the league would be today without Emma and Sid’s help over the years. Even though Emma has gone off to take up various prestigious jobs over the years, she’s never forgot about the league.

“The donation is great, we’re over the moon. It means that we can confidently support and focus on growing girls football for the foreseeable future. We have already invested some of the money in booking the new girls’ hybrid pitch at Regent’s Park for the rest of the season, and we want to host more referee courses for girls and young women, too.”