DOZENS of budding footballers are celebrating the launch of a new girls football team.

The newly-formed FC Darlington Locomotives all girls’ football club has been set up by head coach and chairman Nathan Beadle.

It comes after seven girls football teams, totalling around 100 players aged seven to 18, were left without a club earlier this year.

“We decided, as a family, to set up a brand new club and provide every girls and coach asked to leave by the old club a chance to continue their grassroots football journey,” Mr Beadle said.

“Myself and my parents founded FC Darlington Locomotives and formed a small committee from close friends and volunteers.

“This time four months ago we had nothing, now we have a place to play, new sets of goals, playing tops and recently received our brand new portable floodlights allowing us to continue playing and training in the dark winter months.”

Committee members had a grant accepted to help purchase goals, floodlights and containers but are appealing for more donations to buy full kits and training gear.

To donate to the campaign, click here

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