Sidmouth Town junior Vikings are busy preparing for another season.

Sidmouth Town junior Vikings are busy preparing for another season.

The Town youth section is the envy of many clubs and a number of the current Sidmouth Town first team squad gained their first experience of football in the Town youth set up.

Chairman Tony West has just completed one year in the post and he is also the club’s Under-14 team coach.

He says: “We are really pleased with the way things are going. Like myself, the committee is also a year into the task of running what is a large club. We have been busy making changes that are for the benefit of the club and the players.”

One thing that West is keen to sort out is finding someone to run the Under-8s in the coming season.

West says: “At the present time we do not have anybody to run this group and that’s a real shame. I am hoping that perhaps, through the Sidmouth Herald, we can find someone to come and join us on the coaching/managing side of things.

“There’s plenty of support for the coaches at the club and looking after the Under-8s – one of our youngest teams – can bring a lot of pleasure for it’s a crucial age in terms of introducing the game to the boys and girls.”

West continued: “I am also keen for us to find more girls and ladies to get involved so we can run girls team sand recruit lady coaches. Last year we ran 15 teams with no fewer than 191 players. Amongst that number we do have some girl players, but not enough, yet, to make up a team and that’s a real desire of mine to see a girls team created for the junior Vikings.”

Perhaps this article might reach someone new to the area, or maybe a footballer who has hung up their boots, but still wants to be involved. Whichever, and indeed, whoever, Tony West would love to hear from people interested in either running the Under-8 team or getting involved with girls football.

Tony can be contacted on 07714 530097 or by email at tonywest19@hotmail.co.uk