WARNDON Villages Football Club has unveiled its first football strip in time for the start of the new season.

The new home strip, which is blue and gold, and the white-shirted away kit both bear the logo of the team's sponsor, WS Atkins.

"We had the strip ready before, but Atkins were changing their logo so we had to wait until now before it was ready," said coach Phil Pane.

"The youngsters look pretty smart and they are really pleased with the new kit."

The football club was set up almost a year ago after a Warndon Villages mum, Lynn Gardener, decided something had to be done about the lack of facilities for youngsters in the area.

Since then, the team has gone from strength to strength, with more than 100 children now on its books.

"At the moment, we have two teams registered in the Mercian League and hope to recruit a third," Mr Pane said.

"We are planning another recruitment drive in a few weeks."

The club is especially keen to attract female players for their girls' team.

"We might have to open it up further than Warndon Villages to find enough girls to make up a team," said Mr Pane.

As well as unveiling the new kit on Saturday, the club received the charter mark from the Worcestershire FA, which means its coaches have undergone a certain amount of training and are competent in child protection and first aid.

"It is unusual for a club with so many coaches to get this award," said Mr Pane, of Knotts Avenue in Warndon Villages.

The only thing that stands in Warndon FC's way is the lack of a proper pitch, particularly for league matches.

The teams currently train on a Saturday at Lyppard Grange Primary School, but Mr Pane said this was not sufficient for league games as it did not have any changing facilities.

The team is currently negotiating about acquiring land south of Warndon Wood.

Mr Pane said if the land became available, the club could submit a bid for funding from the Football Foundation to build new facilities.

"I understand there are very few objections to the plans," said Mr Pane.

"We are still waiting to hear what happens."