Steve Brine took a trip to Chilcomb sports fields on Saturday 3rd December to look at the behind-the-scenes progress the club has recently made.
Winchester Youth FC has around 150 players, and an ethos which focuses on providing quality coaching while competing successfully at each age group.
The club has links with AFC Bournemouth, Aldershot FC and Eastleigh FC, which provides a proven route up the ladder for talented youngsters.
Coach and chairman Sam Pidgeon said: "Steve got in touch with the club after the U16's made it through to the league cup final held at St Mary's last summer to wish them luck. Since then we have been working very hard behind the scenes to make progress at the club; putting together a committee in charge of taking the club through the FA Standard Charter, holding our first club fundraising event, engaging local schools to promote the club and encouraging Yr R and Yr 1 kids based in Winchester to come along for coaching on a Saturday morning.
"This is also the first year we have been able to enter 2 teams in most age groups, in the Eastleigh and District Mini Soccer (Aged 7 - 10) and Southampton Tyro League (Aged 11 -15)."
Steve Brine said: "My life growing up was dominated by football, not least because my Dad ran the local team. It was excellent to see the boys training so well, especially the 'Reception Year' group who were obviously having a great time.
"The club seems to have a very wide appeal and it's to their great credit that they are known as a club which plays technically good football. I hope they can grow the club, and although we are nowhere near this yet, in the longer term it would be ideal to see this and the other boys' football clubs in Winchester linked to and feeding into a successful local set-up."
Sam added: "We also find that as we aren't based in a specific part of Winchester we attract kids for all around the city and this gives them another social circle and new friends!"
Pictured; Steve joins some Under 9's and managers Ken Raisbeck and Jim Holland
More information...
Winchester Youth FC is always looking for kids to come along to Chilcomb - mainly Yr R and Yr 1 but also older ages. They are welcome to contact Sam on 07935 372124 or wyfc@hotmail.co.uk.