THE founders of an all-girl football club are celebrating after securing their own premises after six years of renting.

Bishop Auckland Girls FC have just signed a 30-year lease for grounds in Hunwick, near Crook, where they have been based since the club launched in 2012.

The club has around 120 players aged between three and 16 and training takes place every Wednesday.

Ian Quigley, club chairman, said: “We have rented the land here since 2013 and after around a year we started asking whether it would be possible for us to lease it.

“We have been back and forth for some time so to get the paperwork through and signed is a massive relief for all of us.

“This plot of land is ideal for us, there’s no main road here so the players are safe, and the views are fantastic.

“There are clubs around the area that are mixed but full of mostly boys, this is a club just for girls.

“It’s only going to get bigger, our own land gives us a lot more opportunity.”

Beth Robinson, club secretary, said: “From September we will have nine teams, playing five-a-side, seven-a-side, nine-a-side and 11-a-side.

“We also have girls who have played for us in the past who have now come back to coach, which is great and what we want to see.

“This is a massive opportunity for girls who would have maybe stopped playing around 11, who can now play during their time at secondary school.

“We have girls travelling from around the county to play for our club and we get some really nice feedback from parents.

“And it’s the social side of football that is lovely to see. Many of the girls here have made friends for life.”

The club has plans to create fenced in 3G football pitches on site and eventually build a clubhouse.

Craig Hutchinson, vice chairman of Bishop Auckland Girls FC added: “The lease has been the best news of the year so far, it’s been a long time coming. It will be something the girls can enjoy for years to come and they really deserve it.”