AFTER around 25 years with no football team, Littledean villagers have set up a new team – and won their first friendly match on Saturday.
It was their first ever 11-a-side game and they finished with a 4-3 win, despite being 3-1 down at half time.
And just after they finished the game they noticed a picture of the 1951 Littledean team in the Review.
David West, one of the founding members of the team, contacted the paper:
"We couldn't believe it when we saw the picture in the paper, just after we played our first match!" he said.
"What a coincidence! Our coach Mark Bennett recognised his grandad in the photo!"
Dave and his friends Mark Bennett, Neill Ricketts, Neal Breedan and Nick Scott started Saturday morning football sessions last summer to give the young people in the village something to do.
Initially there were only five or six members, but now there are 35 every Saturday morning.
The Forest of Dean Salvation Army has helped with the insurance and safety aspects of getting the team started and the Forest of Dean Youth Forum has given the team funding.
They have raised £5,000 of funding and bought equipment, team kits and trained.
The next challenge to overcome is to find a home pitch so they can join the local Gloucestershire Football Association League at the start of the next season.
David said: "We would really like to be able to play our home games in the village. We have spoken to a couple of people like Keith Bell, about redeveloping the recreation ground, but I think that is a way off yet."
They are looking for suggested sites in the Littledean area. Training is currently at the all weather pitch at Heywood on Fridays from 7.30pm. For more information contact Dave West on 01594 829285.