Major changes at Great Oldbury Youth Football Club

Great Oldbury Youth Football Club have had the green light that the new sports pitches at Great Oldbury, Stonehouse will be ready for use by the club from April.

The club are 14 months in and have just started their second season in the Cotswold Youth League, with what started as two teams, they now have 6 teams across the club - MINI, U8, U9, U10, U11 and U12. 

Great Oldbury Youth FC have been using Park Junior School Stonehouse as their temporary home ground, until the new sport pitches were ready.

The club has been supported from day one by developers Robert Hitchins, while the club has been using the facilities at nearby Park Junior School. 

Chair and secretary Sonia Brinkworth said: 'Without the support of the Great Oldbury developers Robert Hitchins, a dream community club would not have become a reality.

"They listened to the idea and need of a community football club and gave us their backing."

"Park Junior School has been amazing to us and so accommodating due to many of our players attending the local school.

"Without the school's support we would have struggled to find a local venue for our matches and training facilities, in close distance for our players and their families."

The changing rooms build has started and is due to be completed by October, with the community hall to follow a year later.

Robert Hitchins has granted the club priority use of the pitches and changing rooms to help them grow.

Mrs Brinkworth said: 'We cannot wait to celebrate as a club for the move in April, we are already planning a grand event and will be inviting our sponsors along - Robert Hitchins, Stonehouse Motor Company, South West Buildings and Cook Stars.'

The club prides themselves on running regular events, whether it is fundraising for charity, being involved in the community or fun events for their players and volunteers.

They recently visited fellow green team Forest Green Rovers and witnessed a fantastic 5-0 win against Colchester. 

Mrs Brinkworth said: 'It is so important and special for our players to cheer on our local team with their team mates and families - the atmosphere was ecstatic and our players were cheering Forest Green Rovers on very loudly, hopefully it all helped!

"They were lucky enough to be waving flags for the game and some even got interaction and signatures off players - some on Forest Green tops and some on Great Oldbury tops! All good fun!'