AROUND 400 people live in Lydford, and yet the newly-established football club has more than 40 young players on its books — a remarkable achieve-ment for such a small village.

Lydford Foxes is one of the newest youth football clubs in Devon, having been affiliated with the county FA in 2017 and playing regular competitive football in the Devon Junior and Minor League. The majority of players live in Lydford, but the club also attracts children from neighbouring villages, most notably Lewdown, Lifton and Sourton.

Ruth MacIntyre, a club spokesperson, said: ‘This is very much a local club with ambitions to take on the world. Well, Devon and Cornwall, anyway!

‘Lydford Foxes have come a long way in a short space of time. This time last year, the club was little more than a “lads and dads” outfit, using makeshift goals on the edge of the cricket pitch. Today, the club boasts two teams in the DJML, two FA Level One coaches, an enviable network of support staff and a growing group of young players aged from 7 to 15. The club has plans to establish two new teams in 2018, while making the players more competitive on the field. It is a small football club with big ambitions. ’

For chairman and U13s coach, Gavin Braithwaite-Smith, the size of the club should not be a barrier to success, but he is aware that the village location means that Lydford will always be the ‘David’ to the ‘Goliath’.

‘Every time we walk on the pitch, we are the underdogs, but with this brings a strong team ethic and a willingness to play for the badge. Our players are local children who benefit from weekly coaching and regular competitive football.

This season is not about results, it is about learning, developing and enjoying football. We have played in some memorable matches, and we have taken a couple of hammerings, but the players walk off the pitch smiling and eager to move on to the next match.’

Lydford Foxes are recruiting new players of all ages and abilities. For details visit www.lydfordfoxes.com or email them on [email protected].