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THE Sutton Trinity neighbourhood policing team are hoping to find football stars of the future after helping set up Falcon Lodge Community Football Club.

Officers are teaming up with the 'Our Place Community Hub' to offer football training for 11-14 year olds who will then have the chance to represent the area in this season's Lichfield Recreational league.

And the team didn't have too far to look when picking the new team's coaches as PC Frank Kiernan and PCSO Steven Morris are both FA trained officers.

Officers are hopeful that the initiative will become much more than just a football team, with the weekly coaching sessions providing a positive and supervised activity for local young people.

Commenting on the creation of the team, Sergeant Simon Hensley said: "The creation of this team provides a great opportunity, not just for young people wanting to represent their community on the football pitch, but for everyone living locally. It should also encourage local youngsters to take pride in the team and to reduce anti-social behaviour.

"Falcon Lodge Community Football Club won't just be about the players on the pitch. The team's creation already has a real community feel thanks to the support of Our Place and with local company WAA helping to provide the kits. We hope this will continue in the future as locals turn out to cheer the team on from the sidelines."

Kelly Round, from the Our Place Community Hub, added: "Falcon Lodge Community FC is going to be such a unique project seeing members of our local police team giving their time to provide an opportunity for local young people to be involved in a positive sporting opportunity. Our Place are delighted to be able to support this project which will in turn have beneficial outcomes for the whole community."

Lisa Reeves, from the WAA Foundation who sponsor the team, concluded: "The WAA Foundation is very excited to be the proud sponsor for the Falcon Lodge Community Football Club. We are constantly striving to help communities with the money we raise, not only making a difference to individuals but the community as a whole.

"We hope that the new kit and equipment will give the team a great start to get to the top of the league. We'll be cheering them on all the way."

PC Kiernan and PCSO Morris are inviting anyone aged 11-14 years old and interested in being part of Falcon Lodge Community FC's first ever team to attend the below training sessions:

Monday 1 July - 6pm -Newdigate Playing Fields

Saturday 6 July − 10am - Newdigate Playing Fields

Wednesday 10 July − 6pm - Newdigate Playing Fields

Sunday 14 July − 10am - Newdigate Playing Fields