Exclusive by Alan Quick

A FOOTBALL club which started with just six players 10 years ago, and now has more than 80 in a range of teams, has celebrated its 10th anniversary and says it is looking forward to the next 10 years with confidence.

Copplestone United was formed in 2005 after local mum, Hannah Edwards, placed an advert in Copplestone’s "Village Enlightener" magazine, asking if anyone was interested in starting a village football team.

Supported by local parents Guy Gibson and John Lunn, Saturday morning training started for a small group of boys and girls using minimum equipment on the Copplestone school pitch.

Guy Gibson had played football in the London area and had run and coached teams in Middlesex and Hertfordshire. John Lunn had played in the local Devon football leagues.

The idea behind the club was that ANY child who wanted to, could go along and play.

Gradually more players joined and with the introduction of a small amount of weekly subscriptions, Copplestone United was able to buy much-needed footballs, cones, hoops, bibs and goals.

The club went from strength-to-strength over the next few seasons with players also joining from local primary schools, including not only Copplestone but Bow, Morchard Bishop, Yeoford and Sandford.

In 2007-2008 Copplestone United entered a team in its first football league, playing in the Sunday Mid Devon Soccer League. It was a great adventure for the club and an achievement of enormous success for both parents and players.

Since then, the club has entered more and more teams at different age groups into local leagues.

This season Copplestone United has more than 80 players, with teams entered in local leagues from Under Eight to Under 13.

Copplestone United is now run by a strong and dedicated voluntary committee and has up to 20 coaches, team managers and team assistants working hard to keep the club true to its original values.

It is now proudly classed as an FA Chartered Standard club.

To mark its 10-year anniversary, Copplestone United would like to thank those who put their faith in the club founders and those who have helped the club to be the success it is.

A big "thank you" goes to Copplestone Primary School, to its former head teacher, Stuart Busby, to Copplestone Parish Council, to Copplestone Recreation Association who raised the money for the club’s new pitch, and to numerous local companies who sponsor the individual teams.

The club would also like to extend a "thank you" to the coaches, parents and players who make Copplestone United such an enjoyable club to be a part of. Every child’s involvement is still recognised in the annual presentation event and all players, of whatever ability, are welcomed.

The club says its future "looks rosy", with the club in a sound financial position, and still able to charge low subs compared to many.

With a proposed club house/village hall on the cards at Copplestone, who can tell what the next 10 years will bring Copplestone United!

Guy Gibson, now club president, recalled the history of the club.

He said: “It was great to be in at the start of a journey.

"When six players, of all ages, turned up that first morning there was no way I could see us forming a team, let alone a club!

"But the first kids remained dedicated, and as more players, mums and dads got involved it just snowballed.

"It has and continues to be very rewarding to see the enjoyment young boys and girls get out of the game on so many levels - technical, physical, psychological and social.

"Over the years I have met some very talented children, dedicated coaches, and great parents who just want to see their stars have fun.

"In my small way I am glad that I have been involved to help and guide this far.

"It has been a great 10 year experience and has fulfilled a long-term dream.

"It has not been all plain sailing but for me it still is about giving the boys and girls a club they can be proud of and a chance to enjoy the ’Beautiful Game’."

Mr Gibson added: "The logistics of running a youth club aren’t easy but the club will stick to its ideals and continue to be family-orientated and run with the players’ best interests at heart.”

For information on how youngsters can join Copplestone United, call Kay Gibson on 01363 881117.