Although a Liverpool supporter by birth, Thérèse Coffey has a special place in her heart for Felixstowe & Walton United, and the resort in general.

The government's Secretary of State for the Department of Work and Pension is a lifetime season ticket holder at the Goldstar Ground and was there on Saturday to see Stuart Boadley's Seasiders beat Romford 2-0 to keep their faint Isthmian Premier (North) Division promotion hopes alive.

(Red cards, penalty save, Brown brace)

Arriving without fanfare from her home in Westleton, The Suffolk Coastal MP had been to a fund-raising lunch in Saxmundham before enjoying a sunny afternoon in Felixstowe, arguably Suffolk's premier resort.

After buying a drink at the bar, Dr Coffey was seen putting change into the bucket raising money for the club's 3G pitch, and patiently waited the extra half hour due to a delayed kick off, before taking her place in the main stand.

It is not the first time Dr Coffey, has helped the football club. Back in 2012 she backed the Seasiders in their campaign to change the floodlights and allow them to stay up during the season, rather than lower the lighting columns after each game.

"I grew up in Liverpool, so I'm a Liverpool fan and always will be but it is great to be here in Felixstowe on non-league day," said the Suffolk Coastal MP. "I have not been to the Goldstar Ground for a while but as I'm a life-time season ticket holder I do like to come down when I can.

"It was good to see some lively football, including two red cards and the Romford keeper has been amazing and kept them in the game.

"There are a number of good clubs in Suffolk Coastal and the Seasiders always give me a good welcome and to other fans.

"I help where I can and I can see the 3G pitch campaign is going well. There is a lot of money to raise, but there was a lot of money to raise last time and the club succeeded.

"I know this club works really hard to expand to get more and more people to take up football."

With a background as a member of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee in 2010 until 2012, Dr Coffey understands the value of community clubs.

She said: "The whole sports strategy in Felixstowe is coming together really well and I look forward to do what I can to help with this next phase.

"This is a good local team, showing leadership in helping young people, boys and girls, getting into the sport.

"It is good to see what is happening here, the cricket club looking to move to a new home in a couple of years and the hockey cub doing really well."

She also gave praise to Felixstowe Rugby Club for there part in helping to collect, store and distribute a huge amount of donations for Ukraine refugees, with two large trucks driving them to Poland.

(Full story here)

Dr Coffey said: "That shows how our sports clubs in Felixstowe are real community clubs and helping Ukraine with those sorts of initiatives sums up why so many people like to be part of a club so they get involved."

Despite a challenging portfolio, Dr Coffey spends a lot of her time flying the flag for her constituency, in particular increasing jobs and making it easier for businesses to import and export goods through the new Freeport East zone.

She added: "Very recently I welcomed Jacob Rees-Mogg around Port of Felixstowe in his first visit in his role for Brexit opportunities

"Freeport East is tremendous. Of course there are still some bits that are challenging getting all the bits knitted together but the tax free status is now in place along with duty free element and that is important in generating jobs.

"It is about making sure we get good sustainable jobs and I know this part of the world has below average wages so anything we can do get more skilled jobs really matters and Freeport as good way to do that."

She became the DWP portfolio holder in 2019, after switching from DEFRA, and Dr Coffey is big supporter of the Kickstart scheme, administered through the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, which included our very own Amber Markwell.

The scheme allowed those between 16-24 work in placements for 25 hours week on minimum wage as a stepping stone to full time employment.

"150,000 young people have benefited," said Dr Coffey. "While there were some limitations, a lot of young people found full time jobs. Overall, I'm pleased with how it went cross the country.

She confirmed the scheme is unlikely to be reintroduced but £3,000 grants are available to take on apprentices.

The minister, who was part of the select committee that looked into how the media operates during the phone having scandal, hailed Felixstowe Nub News for its contribution to hyperlocal reporting.

"It is great to see the local media like Nub News here promoting the Seasiders and championing everything that is going on in this part of the world," said Dr Coffey.

"It is always worthwhile advertising all the good things that is happening here this great part of the world to work rest and play."

However, even though Felixstowe won on the day, Dr Coffey is not convinced they will make the play-offs and win promotion.

"This season it is a bit to far off for them," she said.

For those with a bit more faith in Stuart Boardley's Seasiders, they can watch them take on rivals Maldon & Tiptreee at the Goldstar tomorrow night.