A football club for youngsters that was founded in June 2022 is already tastig success — and has already expanded, with long-term plans to establish its own home.

Annesley AFC, a grassroots club that plays home games at Sutton Lawn, says it focuses on creating a positive environment for player development.

In its first season the club’s initial team played Saturday morning football in the YEL East Midlands Saturday Under-10s division.

It won several tournaments, a YEL Cup, and a YEL Fair Play Award — voted for by opposition managers to recognise good sporting behaviour shown by players, coaches, and parents on matchdays.

Building on its initial success and achieving England Football Accreditation status, Annesley AFC headed into its second season with an extra Sunday Under-11s team.

Looking to the future, the club’s five-year growth plan aims to see it add girls and boys teams for five and six-year-olds in the spring and the longer-term dream is to one day have its own pitches and a clubhouse.

The club said a large part of its successful start — both on and off the pitch — has been because of support from business sponsors — Clearmark Solutions, Nottingham; CPC Civils, Birmingham; and Zeppelin Systems, Annesley.

Mark Cass, founder and Annesley AFC head coach, said: “We can’t thank our sponsors enough. The financial support we’ve received from our business sponsors has enabled the club to overcome a number of financial hurdles in what was a very challenging, but equally rewarding first season.”

Thierry Jahant, managing director of Zeppelin Systems, said: “As a foundation-owned company, business and community involvement are inseparable. We are proud supporters of our local football club and share their incredible achievements.”

An important part of the club’s development in the community has been to partner with business sponsors who have operations and/or employees based locally.

Con Cunningham, managing director of CPC Civils, said “We are a Birmingham-based company, but work all over the country and are delighted to sponsor Annesley AFC. One of our employees manages one of the teams and we are happy to see them doing so well. Well done to Vincent Higgins, the other coaches and all the players.”

John Tierney, country manager of Videojet and Clearmark Solutions, addeed: “We believe in giving back to local communities through funding community sponsorship projects. It’s been great to see the growth of AAFC over the past year and we’re proud to have supported them through it.”

Pictured are Annesley AFC under-10s youngsters last season with coach and chairman Mark Cass (left) and Vincent Higgins, assistant coach, who is now a coach for the Sunday under-11s team.