ALCESTER Athletic have taken the next step in their bid to restore senior football to the town following the demise of Alcester Town 13 years ago.

The junior football club, founded when Town folded in 1993 following a visit from youngsters from Alcester's French twin town Vallet, have guided youngsters through the age brackets ever since.

With the first crop now ready to take the field as an under 18s side Athletic have revived the famous Alcester Town name with the under 15s and younger sides competing as Alcester Town Juniors.

The under 18s will compete in the Stourport League this season and will then form an Alcester Town senior team next season.

Alcester Town started playing amateur football in the 1965/66 season in the Midland Combination with their home base at Oversley Green and won successive promotions in 1989/90 and 1990/91 to take them from Division Two into the Premier Division.

It was during this period former Redditch United manager Paul West became the club's record transfer with an £8,000 move to Port Vale, launching a professional career.