CELEBRATIONS are in full swing at Mitcheldean Sports Club as they have reached their 100th anniversary.

The club are doing well both on and off the pitch after their 1st team have occupied a top three spot in the North Glos Premier League for most of the season. They eventually finished fourth, while the second team which is mostly made up from last year's third team, have been playing three leagues higher than last season.

Off the pitch, deputy chairman Ian Cruickshank has set his sights on establishing the club as one of the top six in the Forest of Dean and providing better links between the younger and adult sides.

He said: "We have had a number of promising young players, but because we have lacked the facilities to run an under 18s side, we have seen these players drift off to other clubs. This is something that we are addressing.

"What we would like is to increase the involvement with children of all ages, from six-year-olds through to when they are ready to play for the adult sides. Nothing gives us greater satisfaction than seeing players achieve what we know they can."

The club are are currently in talks with Mitcheldean Parish Council about improvements to facilities.

Ian said: "We have already made some improvement, but there is much more to do before our vision becomes a reality. However, this is no different to the belief we instil in our players, think big, work hard and it's amazing what can be achieved."

The Ladies team have transformed from perennial strugglers to a successful outfit and finished the season fourth. While the under 12 side have qualified for the MGMS champions league day.

This Saturday (July 6), the club is holding one of the biggest six-a-side tournaments in the Forest for children under 7s, 9s, 11s, 13s and 15s and under 8s, 10s, 12s, 14s and 16s on Sunday July 7. The ladies and men's tournament is on Saturday, July 13.

Ian added: "We always look forward to this event. We see sides come from far and wide to compete, it's always a great event."

If players of any age are interested in attending a training sessions at Mitcheldean playing fields, under 10s train on a Tuesday at 6.00pm, under 11s on Wednesday at 6.15pm and under 12s on Wednesdays at 6.00pm. Players of all abilities are welcome. For more information on the tournament and training, visit http://www.mitcheldeanfootball.co.uk">www.mitcheldeanfootball.co.uk or email [email protected]">[email protected].