A GRASSROOTS senior football club has outlined its goal for the future.

Durham United, which has fielded an adult team for the first time this season, is hoping to become a regular fixture for families on Saturday afternoons.

Based at New Ferens Park, at Belmont Industrial Estate, on the outskirts of Durham, it is ideally placed for people with young children.

As well as several youth teams, it is also right next to a soft play and trampoline park and a luxury ice creamery.

There are currently about 30 teams for more than 300 children aged from seven to 17.

But now the club is focussing on its senior team and is scouting for new players, as well as supporters

Club chairman John Walters said: “The senior team here is brand new.

“If you are good enough you will get a game.

“It is very early stages, but we have got good sponsors and the lads are well turned out in sponsored kit and training gear.

“It is very much in its infancy and we are finding our feet but we are looking grow and develop things.”

The team has a manager, Dean Smith, who is a qualified coach, and is in the Wearside Development League, the bottom rung of non-league football.

Mr Walters said: “We hope that we will be able to get into the Wearside League next season.

“Not all teams in this league want to go up because they do not have a certain level of facilities which we do have here.”

New Ferens Park was home to Durham City AFC, which is owned by former Newcastle United player Olivier Bernard, and now plays at Willington.

Mr Walters said: “We are completely separate from Durham City AFC.

“Our vision for the future is to have the senior football alongside all of the junior teams.

“We are going to get under 18s and under 23. Hopefully, people will come and watch us and we will be a family-orientated community club.

“We have got a good set of lads. They play the game in the right way and get fined for swearing because there is loads of kids about.

“When you think about everything that the Premier League has become we are the complete opposite of that.

“We want people in this area to come along and support their local club, get involved and enjoy a good game of football.

“There is always something going on here so there is a good social side to it as well as the sports.”

The club attracts about 100 spectators and entry is £2 for adults and a £1 for children.

Games are against other small clubs from around the region with junior players acting as mascots.

Committee member Helen Pollard said: “The kids just love it.

“The team make such a fuss of them. They go and train with them on the field before the game and go in to the dressing room with the players. They absolutely love it.”

The club has a family feel and Karen Wild who sponsors player Jack Ramage was recently treated to flowers by the team following her treatment for a rare form of leukaemia.

She said: “It meant a lot to me and I have thanked them. It shows they are caring and part of the community.”

Charity is also a big part of the club’s ethos and manager Dean Smith’s wife Shirley founded the If You Care Share Foundation after their son, Daniel, took his own life.

Mr Walters said: “Obviously, this is a charity very close to our hearts.

“As a football club we have a lot of young men here so it is important we look after their mental health as well as their physical health.”

She added: “It is a good local charity as well and as a community club it is something we are very proud to support.”