FC PHOENIX have risen to prominence as one of the leading clubs involved with girls' football in Herefordshire.

Established little more than a year ago, Phoenix have already achieved success in a range of age sections and are fast approaching 100 female participants.

The club's under-11 and under-13 girls' sides have won their sections of the inaugural Herefordshire Football Association Girls' Friendly League, the under-11 team won the HFA Mini-Soccer League, while the under-13 section captured the Stourport & District League title and the Stourport & District Under-13 Cup.

Next season, the club plans to build on their success and establish an under-16 girls' section which, it is hoped, will play friendly 11-a-side matches against established ladies' senior sides such as Ross Town and Hereford Pegasus Ladies.

Ralph Farmer, the club's founder member, said: "I just sit back in amazement at the amount of work being done in the club, for both boys and girls. And it's pleasing to see that everyone in the club is benefiting. We have worked hard to develop the girls' section and a coach education system."

Farmer says that Phoenix are a progressive club, which makes sure that the safety of the children is paramount.

He said: "It's only about 12 months since we started FC Phoenix and I am thrilled that we have taken giant strides forward. From a base of four or five girls, we are now fast approaching 100."

The club are particularly keen to attract more female coaches, although they have already recruited one - Donna Farmer, the 15-year-old daughter of Ralph.

Farmer said: "We have forged links with schools and the idea is for Phoenix to increase its involvement within the community. The club have had to work very hard and we are thrilled that it's beginning to pay off."