Ashby Ivanhoe Football Club have laid out their plans for the future - and made it clear how ambitious they are.

The club was founded in 1948 and play their home matches at the NFU Sports Ground, Lower Packington Road, Ashby.

This has been the club's new home since the beginning of the 2012/2013 season - their previous home was at Hood Park in Ashby.

Ashby Ivanhoe official Bryan Smith Explained how the club are planning to expand even further.

"The club are very ambitious and have plans to progress further up the league pyramid system and hope to be a sustainable Step 4," he said.

"We have a very clear and professional player pathway document that supports the ongoing development of players and provides players with a One Club approach that they can eventually be part of the Senior sides.

"The club is run by an experienced management team, alongside very committed volunteers and coaches and enjoys the support of some very prestigious commercial partners."

Bryan explained the current set up at Ashby Ivanhoe and some of their history.

"The club currently consists of two adult teams and 16 junior teams covering the ages of Under 7s to Under 18s," he added.

"The start of the 2019/20 Season saw the introduction of the club's first Ladies Team and we have a very active girls/ladies Just Play initiative.

"The first team play in the Midland Football League Div. 1 at Step 6 in the National Pyramid System, with the Reserves in the Leicestershire Senior League Premier Division – Step 7.

"The Junior teams play their home matches at 3 sites within the Town, the 7's – 10's at the Clubs main ground on Lower Packington Road, the 11's – 13's at Hood Park, the 14's – 16's at Western Park and the 17's and 18's on Hood Park.

"The Ladies team play their home matches on the main pitch at Lower Packington Road. In February 2004, Ashby Ivanhoe became an FA Charter Standard football club.

"The Club operates a successful Soccer School that provides an opportunity for both boys and girls to start their football journey and learn skills whilst have fun and building friendships.

"Ashby Ivanhoe had one of their most successful seasons in 2010/11 as they completed a league and cup double by winning the Leicestershire Senior League by nine points and also lifted the Coalville Charity Cup for the very first time after producing a superb second half comeback to beat Bardon Hill 3-2 in the final.

"They have also reached successive Leicestershire Senior Cup finals in 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 but had to settle for runners-up on both occasions losing 3-1, firstly to Ibstock United and then Aylestone Park.

"The 2013/2014 season saw the first team achieve a long-term ambition as they won promotion into the Step 6 East Midlands Counties League after finishing third place in the Leicestershire Senior League.

"It was a close title race with the top three all finishing level on points with Ashby third on goal difference.

"The Reserves were also promoted in the Leicestershire Senior League Division One.

"In the season 2015/16 the Club made its very first appearance in the FA Cup and progressed to the preliminary round where they hosted Ilkeston Town FC in front of a crowd of over 800 spectators.

"The game followed the previous day where the club was honoured to have the FA Cup visit the ground and paraded around the Community visiting playgroups and businesses within the town before a photo session at the club with players, parents and supporters.

"The club received excellent media coverage and was broadcast live on Central News that evening."