AMBITIOUS Great Wakering Rovers have announced the addition of a new under 14’s girl’s team who will be playing under the Great Wakering Colts Youth Football Club section.

Colts chairman, John Galley, announced the move following a series of successful meetings with Alex Buckland and Craig Edwards who head up the team’s coaching staff.

Great Wakering Colts Girls will participate in the Essex Girls County Football League, along with the likes of West Ham United and Leyton Orient. However, the club is keen to see women’s football flourish. Speaking to Yellow Sport, Mr Galley said: "This is such a wonderful opportunity now and for the future to bring girls and ladies football to our village.

“Alex and Craig are the right people to develop this side and since people knew we were starting a girls team, we have had lots of contact from parents enquiring about bringing their daughters over to us. Girls football is one of the biggest and quickest developing areas in modern day sport. To say I’m excited is an understatement and as a club will give them all the support that they need to grow, develop and enjoy their football."

Mr Buckland, shared Galley’s enthusiasm, adding: "This will hopefully be the first of many Great Wakering Colts girls teams at the club and the aim is to invest and make football accessible for all abilities and ages alike and ultimately within time bring ladies football back to the village.

“We have had great backing from our sponsors for the season ahead, GBN Services & DA Ward Plasterers. This investment, and also great backing from the chairman of the Colts, John Galley, ensure the girls have all the kit they rightly deserve to not only make them feel part of the team but ultimately feel a part of the Great Wakering Colts setup.

“Myself and Craig are delighted to be part of what we believe will be the biggest football setup for girls in the area in the next five years. The futures bright the future’s green and white."

Meanwhile, Mr Edwards was confident that the girls could be a successful addition to the Youth outfit: "The girls come from around the Southend On Sea area, he said. “They are a good mixture of both current year 7 and year 8 school years, progressing to year 8 and 9 next season.

“Some of the girls had a short history of playing a couple of seasons in the Southend boys league before last season’s league triumph (Div C winners) and others, believe it or not, had never kicked a ball at the start of last season.

“Our aim this season is to settle the side into their first season 11-a-side football under the Great Wakering Colts YFC badge."

Great Wakering Colts Girls will be playing their home fixtures at nearby Cupids Country Club who have provided the club with a superb facility for the forthcoming campaign.

For more information contact Alex Buckland on 07734 385050 or email: bucklandnew@aol.com or Alternatively: gwcoltschairman@outlook.com.

We would like to thank Brian Jeeves for taking the time to speak to John Galley again and we wish him all the best for the season.