THE success of the English Lionesses has inspired more than 70 youngsters to sign up for a girls’ only football session in Exeter.

Organisers at Exeter City Community Trust, the partner charity of Exeter City Football Club, had to increase the capacity for this year’s girls’ only event after numbers more than quadrupled for this year.

And the girls who attended the session at Exwick Sports Hub were treated to a visit by players from Exeter City Women’s team.

Jamie Vittles, chief executive of Exeter City Community Trust, said: “Our holiday clubs are open to both girls and boys aged from five to 14 years and we regularly have lots of girls attending.

“Over the years we have held girls’ only sessions, but this summer, thanks to the amazing success of the Lionesses, our bookings have increased significantly!

“We’re passionate about creating opportunities for everyone to play football and have created a female football pathway at Exeter City Community Trust, which starts from the age of five.”

As well as its Tots sessions, Exeter City Community Trust offers weekly sessions specifically for younger girls and for teenagers, alongside opportunities for talented young players at its Girls’ Development Centre which is for nine to 16-year-olds.

This leads to Exeter College, to the Women’s Development Squad and then ultimately to the Exeter City Women’s team.

In further good news for women’s football at Exeter City, last month the football club contributed £25,000 to support the development of the Exeter City Women’s team.

The team will also play two games at St James Park this season.

For more information about Exeter City Community Trust holiday clubs visit: www.exetercct.org .