Ashby United Community Football Club begin their debut season this weekend after forming 10 teams consisting of 125 players.

The club was set up just over 90 days ago at the beginning of June.

They held a joint open day with Ashby Hastings Cricket Club on Bank Holiday Monday at which they set out their plans, spoke to parents and launched the season.

The Mayor of Ashby, Cllr Graham Allman, also attended.

Chairman Murrae Blair-Park told Ashby Nub News about the response the club has had since their formation.

He said: "Monday was the launch of our season, we had maybe a couple of hundred people who turned up, players, parents, extended family, coaches and we were just delighted.

"The atmosphere was fabulous, it was a real community event, and we are very proud of what everybody is doing for the club. It's been just over 90 days since we formed, so we are very pleased about that.

"There are a lot of guys who play for us and play cricket, and it's building that whole sports community thing, we are very fortunate in Ashby we've got some great sports clubs, we've got Ashby Ivanhoe, Marlborough Rovers, Ashby Hastings, the tennis club, the bowls club, the hockey club and the netball club.

"We are awash with sports clubs. Ashby United is another one of those clubs.

"That's the reason why so many people were out on Monday, one, it was a Bank Holiday, two, the weather wasn't too bad, three, people like what we are saying, we are committee run club. Nine committee members all with a single vote.

"The whole focus is trying to get parents, families, grandads, grandmas, everyone involved is what we're trying to do, and that's why we saw this type of response."

Volunteers from the club got together last month to help give the Hood Park ground a facelift with some of United's teams playing there this season.

Murrae added: "What we did it at Hood Park was fabulous, Ken Horn, who runs our community team, did a sterling job and we all got involved at some stage.

"My two eldest boys played floodlit football at Hood Park a few years ago, and as Ashby Ivanhoe concentrated on their own ground,, the floodlights went with them, which was absolutely right.

"So we want to bring floodlit football back to Hood Park, and we are looking at creating an Under-18s floodlit team.

"One of the things we will be looking to do, is raise money through grants and social events to fund that.

"But we're not the only team plays down there, others do as well so we want other teams to benefit from the improved facilities."

United have been delighted with the response to their call for players since June.

Murrae added: "We have 125 Players signed and 10 teams. In 90 days. We have two senior teams, and we have eight junior teams, we really have had to motor to get people on board

"The 16-17s start the league on Saturday in the Derby League and the following week, the juniors of 12 and below start on the Saturday and Sunday in the Burton League.

"It's about making a contribution and making people realise the potential of the facilities.

"The priority is to get this season started, get our teams playing in earnest and enjoying their football, and then from there we can gauge it, we seem to be gaining more and more interest in the club.

"We want to find another under-sevens team as the seven-year-olds grow up, and an under-14s team and another 15 for next season, that will give us the full spectrum."

Cllr Allman said: "In my introductory speech I thanked all the many volunteers who have worked tirelessly for the past 90 days getting the club up and running along with emphasising the need to 'get out' and support local clubs, commerce and traders for the benefit of the community bearing in mind the need for social distancing and public safety."