MERRIOTT Youth Football Club has celebrated its 30th birthday with a day of summer fun.

The club was started in 1987 by David Hayden so that his son and their friends could play in a team until they were 16.

Now, the club has 14 youth teams, a ladies’ team and a men’s team, with more than 250 players taking part.

Monica Hayden, David’s wife, helped organise the event and has been secretary at the club for the full 30 years.

She said: “The day was to celebrate Merriott FC and so the bouncy castle and things were all free. We also had a barbecue.

“It was a wonderful day and we presented all the children with a 30 year medal and we presented them with the end of season awards.

“We did a private raffle and we gave out prizes of £200, £100 and £50, and we raised some extra money that we are going to give to charity.

“I would like to thank our chairman Paul Lawrence, Christine Jones and Isabell Bending, and Rebecca Wetherall.”

David started off serving as the club’s chairman and has now been made life president.