Andy Parrett charts the first decade or so of Peterborough Diamonds, whom today are known as Netherton United Ladies & Girls FC.
It’s the summer of 2003 and a local newspaper advert attracts over one hundred young ladies looking to start playing football for a newly formed club.
From those in attendance, several are selected and the Peterborough Diamonds Football Club is up and running. The Diamonds were the first female team in Peterborough to offer football to all players regardless of their ethnic background or disability, something that we are proud to still offer some eleven years later.
In the first season, three trophies are collected as well as a league runners-up position. From there, each season has been rewarded with County, League, Cup and tournament success. A total of fifty-nine titles has meant our trophy cabinet has been filled and is now creaking at the seams!
In 2010 the cub needed to look for a new playing base within Peterborough. The Chairman’s contacts lead him to Netherton United FC, another football set up within the city with the same principles as our own. Netherton United Diamonds becomes the latest incarnation of the club.
Netherton run many boys’ and men’s teams and were delighted to welcome us on board, another local club that provides football for a wide ethnic group and a big supporter of disability football.
We are a Community Charter Standard Club, the highest award any local football club can achieve; this ensures all our staff meet the training and safety checks that are required by the Football Association. We train and play on a recently installed 3G floodlit pitch, as well as varying sizes of grass pitch to cater for the different agegroups.
In 2013 the ‘Diamonds’ name bids a fond farewell and the team take on the new title of Netherton United Ladies & Girls Football Club, ensuring our commitment to Netherton is for now and the future.
Operating with five teams in the 2014/15 season – U-11, U-14, U-16, U-18 and Ladies, our members cross several County borders enjoying a sport that brings so much pleasure to parents, supporters and players alike.
All managers, assistants and committee members work on a voluntary basis, putting in hundreds of hours each season to ensure the players operate in a safe environment and are provided with the training and playing equipment that they require. The committee have to work hard to ensure funding is in place to keep the teams running ; through sponsorship and bag packs, whilst keeping the player fees to the minimum possible.
Although no longer tagged as Diamonds, we still embrace the same ethos: Offering girls and ladies of all ages and abilities the chance to play football in a friendly and safe environment.
Pictured (from top) – Netherton United U-13s, U-15s and U-18s from season 2013-14.
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