A JUNIOR football club has been given a £1,800 kickstart at its annual awards ceremony.

Astley and Tyldesley JFC was handed a grant from Wigan Council's Tyldesley and Astley and Mosley Common councillors, as part of the Brighter Borough fund, to improve its facilities.

The club was formed in 2004 when two teams merged and there are now 40 sides under its umbrella.

Leigh Journal:

Members of the club with councillors

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Club chairman Mike Morrow said: “We are a community charter standard club, which means we follow the highest criteria a grass roots club can achieve in the football association.

"We have a very strong committee and around 80 coaches supporting our teams which include five girls sides, two pre-school groups and multiple teams at every age group up to adulthood.

"We have a pathway to adult football with teams at U17 and U18 and open age in the Manchester leagues.

"As we grow, we require more facilities, more pitches and training facilities which are in short supply, but we will always endeavour to provide quality inclusive football in the community.”