IN January last year, a group of parents got together to organise a new boys football team named the Mayfly Tigers, after their local, the Mayfly, on Studley Road.

Within 12 months they had so much interest that they now have three teams, under 7s, under 8s and an under 9s.

Since playing on open grass near the Wild Goose in Matchborough they have been looking for a ground where the 30 local children can play other teams.

When parents heard Redditch Cricket Club were having problems maintaining Hewell Cricket Club, after the club house had been broken into, the parents struck a deal to makeover the club house in exchange for their young teams being able play football on the fields.

Parents are now busily renovating the club house and grounds to make it safe for the children to play and enable them to join the league.

Marie Eggington from Matchborough, and parent of Sam, who is in the under 8s team, said: "We're over the moon to have found Hewell Cricket Club and would like to thank Daren Field at Redditch Cricket Club for his help.

"The challenge is to get enough funding to renovate the club house by September and secure sponsorship so that we can sustain the three teams for the coming season. Any help from local residents or businesses would help the boys continue to play football. We need help with building materials, kit and raffle prizes.

Councillor Rebecca Blake said: "Credit to the parents for not only attempting to refurbish the club house but for starting the teams in the first place.

"They're paying for courses out of their own pocket and volunteering week in, week out, so that their children can have something to do that keeps them off the streets.

"They just need some support from the local community to be able to keep up their good work.

"Given there isn't enough for children and young people to do, it's in everyone's interests for them to have meaningful activities. I hope they will be well supported."

Anyone interested in supporting the Mayfly Tigers can email mayfly.tigers@outlook.com.