GARWAY Junior FC will soon be celebrating their 10th anniversary, a massive achievement for a club which was started by a schoolboy for his Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Garway was founded a decade ago by Rob Heath who was a student aiming to get the award and decided to set up a team as part of the community work necessary to earn it. Since then the club has continued to grow and now has 50 children of different ages playing for them.

The club have teams from U7 level to U11, with dedication to the seven-a-side and 11-a-side versions of the game.

Garway looked to be in trouble in 2003 but thanks to Andy Bevan, Jon Pearce and Chris Phillips’ decision to continue with whoever turned up, a season which started with seven players ended with over 40.

Since then, they have attained the FA Charter Standard in 2004-05 and developed an official structure off the pitch. In 2005 the club won a county award from the FA for their commitment to children and football, with Pearce winning County Coach of the Year.

To celebrate the anniversary, Garway will be holding two special matches on June 13. Garway U11s taking on their U12s side, and then an Old Boys side made up of former players, including some of those from the original side, taking on an Old Coaches team.

The festivities start at 3.30pm at St Owen’s Cross pitch.