A man who has discovered that 12 Premier League football clubs owe their existence to the church will be the guest speaker at a special event in Lowestoft next month.

Peter Lupson, author of 'Thank God for football,' will address an audience at London Road Baptist Church on Saturday, October 7.

The event is being organised by Rev. Emily Twigg, one of the ministers at the church and the manager of their 'Message On The Ball' (MOTB) football academy, and Ashley Langner, the head coach of MOTB, who said: 'Not everyone knows that 12 Premier League football clubs were started by churches, including the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

Mr Lupson will be joined by the former Norwich City Football Club Chaplain, Rev Bert Cadmore, to reveal how and why local churches set up these clubs, how they evolved into the clubs they are today, and the role Christians play in the professional footballing world.

'An evening with Peter Lupson is a fantastic opportunity for local people to hear about the history of some well-known premiership clubs, and the link between football and the church,' a church spokesman added.

An evening with Peter Lupson is at London Road Baptist Church in Kirkley Park Road on October 7, at 7.30pm, costing £2 per person. For more information email emily.twigg@londonroad.org.uk or call 01502 514091.