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Relaunch of old football team is 'so needed'

BBC Sam Smith in navy club tracksuit with his initials SS on the front and an emblem of the football club. Sam is smiling at the camera and he has a short beard. There is a football pitch and a goal behind him.BBC
Sam Smith re-started Rhode Lane Wanderers Junior FC after playing for them as a child

A football coach said re-launching the club he played for as a boy has been the "most rewarding" experience.

Sam Smith, 35, played for Rhode Lane Wanderers Junior FC as an 11-year-old but the club, on the Hamp Estate, Bridgwater, Somerset, folded in 2021.

During a chance encounter with a former player, Mr Smith was told that without the club, the man felt he would have ended up in prison.

"I thought if it had that effect on one person, it is needed and something has to happen," Mr Smith said.

Diesel, 12, smiling at the camera in his navy football club top. He has light brown curly hair and is standing on a football pitch with a goal behind him.
Diesel, 12, said the team play really well together

A re-launch of the club at the start of the season saw more than 60 children turn up to join, so it was "definitely needed", Mr Smith said.

They have had to turn children away so are looking for more coaches, or for anyone over the age of 14 who would like to train as a coach or a referee.

Mr Smith said the children are wearing the "kit with pride" and support from local businesses has been "phenomenal".

"We have people who have various diagnosis' and some with complications and this gives them something to latch onto, something to focus on," he said.

Levi looking at the camera wearing his navy club top. He has a long brown fringe and is standing on the football pitch with a goal a long way behind him.
Levi said he loves the matches and the club is "local and brilliant"

Diesel, 12, said he loves playing with the club.

"We’ve got really good players and the team all work together," he said.

Levi, also 12, said: "I just love our matches… it's local and it's brilliant."

Mr Smith said the most rewarding thing has been to see people growing, learning and changing their lives.

"They’re smiling so that’s all we could ask for," he added.

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