THE organisation which runs football in the county has chosen Droitwich Spa as its new home.

Worcestershire Football Association (WFA) has bought a premises on the Hampton Lovett Industrial Estate.

It is the WFA's first headquarters - the organisation was previously run from people's homes and held meetings around the county.

Secretary Mervyn Leggett said: "Most of the things we do can take place here and our full-time officers are now housed under the same roof.

"Our requirements have changed considerably over the last ten years and the need for an HQ became more pressing.

"Some people think we sort out the odd problem and run a few cups. We do much more than that and the public perception must change.

"The site is ideal and there's room for expansion. Droitwich is a good, central location in the county which is an added bonus."

The WFA began operating from its new base - Craftsman House, in De Salis Drive - on Monday.

It was bought two months ago with funding assistance from the Football Association.

Mervyn said: "The project has been ongoing for a couple of years. We had to start from scratch and it's been a lot of hard work with a few twists and turns along the way."

More than 400 clubs are affiliated to the WFA.