A YOUTH football team’s rise from scratch to become a key community cog has been recognised by the Football Association.

The efforts of all involved with Coxhoe United Youth FC has earned the title of Durham FA’s Grassroots Club of the Year.

Established in 2005 with two teams playing in the Russell Foster Youth League (RFYL), the club now has 11 sides, from U7 to U16, and runs a Monday evening development session for four to sevens.

All train locally through the week and play matches in the RFYL, with its 11-a-side teams using either the Active Life Centre, in the village, or at senior neighbour’s Coxhoe Athletics’ Beechfield Park ground.

Club official Greg Alderson said a link between the two clubs has been, “long overdue” and may provide a pathway into adult football for its talented young players.

Mr Alderson said winning the award is, “an amazing achievement “ for such a relatively small football club, adding: “It’s for all of our parents, coaches and, most importantly, all of our players, who have all been absolutely incredible during these unpredictable and unprecedented times we have been living in.”

Further information is available via www.coxhoeunited.co.uk, the club’s website.

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