Westbury Sports Club celebrates huge growth after 30 years in Bury

Westbury Sports Club commemorated its 30th anniversary earlier this month, remembering the volunteers, past and present, who have helped the organisation to grow.

Situated behind the Wellington Barracks on Bexley Drive, the club now has 33 teams with 540 players signed on.

Chairman Steve Henderson said: “I can't believe it has been 30 years already, but we are ready for the next 30 years going forward.”

In April 2022 the club managed to secure a £350,000 Groundwork grant due to the "relentless hard work of the volunteers" which enabled them to have seven grass pitches.

The ground is leased and managed by the club, which is now able to accommodate teams from the ages of four to 18 and also run an over 35s side and three rounders teams.

Vice chairman Carl Slater said: “We would like to mention all of our sponsors as each team manage to get sponsorship from local businesses and we could not do this without them.

“Westbury Sports Club players' fees are one of the lowest in the North West thanks to our sponsors and volunteers hard work.

“While money from donations and from the sponsorship is fantastic, to see children smiling and enjoying football at weekends is priceless.

“We hope to see this club thrive for another 30 years minimum”.

Since the England women's team won the Euros last year, the club has said they are pleased to see their nine all-girl football teams develop.

The club also runs a "soccer school" for four to five-year-olds and a "wildcats" session, a girls' introduction to football.

The club celebrated how far it has developed and grown on its 30th birthday and committee member, Mike Roberts, brought along one of the original purple and blue kits from 1993.

Carl said: “The kit was raffled off to raise money for the upkeep of this fantastic club.

“Every penny we raise is spent on making this club a safe friendly place for children to enjoy playing football.”