A former Workington Reds player has made a dream come true by creating a new football club.

Martyn Rossi, 25, of Shelly Court, Salterbeck, has set up Salterbeck FC.

The club will officially launch on Tuesday, May 24 and will have three teams - a five to seven-year-old, an eight to 10-year-old and an under 13s side.

Martyn's aim is to help keep young people stay off the streets, hold events to bring the community together and to give aspiring coaches a chance to earn their coaching badges.

Martyn, who has lived in Salterbeck since he was seven, said: "I was in and out of trouble when I was younger and this is why I want it to be so successful and for it to keep people out of trouble.

"I came up with the idea when I realised that the kids don't have much to do here.

"I've got time on my hands to do this. I hope the players will be able to learn morals through football like respect."

The club will do all its own fundraising to pay for kit and equipment and local businesses have provided sponsorship.

The under-13s side have applied to join the West Cumbria League and 80 players have signed up across all three teams.

Training sessions for the five to sevens and the eight to 10s will take place at Lakes College and the under-13s will train at the pitch near Salterbeck's play park.

Home matches will be played at the Walker Road pitch in Salterbeck.

Martyn added: "It's something I've wanted to do for quite some time. I see the potential there and I'm ecstatic to have it all set up.

"It's very different to other football clubs around here. It's about getting parents involved and having something for the Salterbeck area."

Denise Rollo, senior development officer at Allerdale Borough Council, has been supporting the set up of the new Salterbeck team. 

She said: "We think this is a great initiative and have been helping him source start-up funding, as well as sorting out the paperwork and processes he needed to put in place before he could recruit the young players."

Players who want to sign up for the teams can contact Martyn directly on 07734 219773 or by emailing  salterbeckfc@mail.com