A GIRLS football club played their first home game last weekend after a two year project to build the club.

With a desire to give local girls the opportunity to play football, husband and wife Gemma and Darren Dury formed Rainford Ladies Atheltic in 2020.

Focusing on developing the girls game in St Helens, the club has grown at a rapid pace over the past two years, with 170 girls playing at every age group from under 8s through to the open age.

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St Helens Star: Rainford Ladies Athletic have teams from under 8s up to open ageRainford Ladies Athletic have teams from under 8s up to open age (Image: Rainford Ladies Athletic)

Following difficulties finding funding and a home pitch, the club gained the support of local councillor Linda Mussell who helped their development through the council's local community fund.

Eager to have a home base to grow the teams, Cllr Mussell also helped Rainford Ladies to secure Spring Field, next to Rainford Sports and Social Club, as their exclusive home ground.

Two years since the club formed, their "dreams became reality" last weekend as the under 15s played their first home game against AFC Bolton.

Securing a 9-3 win, the day was a huge occasion for Rainford Ladies as parents, family members, local residents, and Cllr Mussell attended to celebrate the girl's first home game at their new ground.

St Helens Star: Councillor Mussell was present at the club's first home gameCouncillor Mussell was present at the club's first home game (Image: Rainford Ladies Athletic)

With players sharing the same vision as the coaches, the club aims to continue growing and reach more budding footballers across St Helens.

Developing the girls game in the local community, the club hopes one day to have a girl from Rainford Ladies playing in the Women's Super League.

Gemma said: "It has always been our ambition and focus to give girls and women from the Rainford and surrounding areas a football club that was focused solely on allowing them to develop in the game.

"Securing our home ground is a massive step in achieving this ambition.

"We are delighted and excited to see how we can continue to develop as a club".