Michelle Cocklin, a young mum of three boys, has just agreed to become a manager of a ladies football team within Maldon Town Football Club's Youth section.

Ladies football is undoubtedly the world's fastest growing sport and Michelle, a PE teacher at the Upper Plume School in Maldon, who already plays netball for JMC Writtle, hopes that the opportunity to train and play at Maldon Town will encourage more girls and women to join in this new and exciting venture.

"I work with the children in the Maldon area and hope to develop a ladies/girls football team right here in Maldon," she said.

Michelle is looking for extra players over the age of 14 who wish to join and play in the Essex County Ladies Football League and since training commences on Friday, September 7, she would welcome those who wish to participate to contact her as soon as possible.

Michelle can be contacted via e-mail on mcocklin@yahoo.co.uk or through the Vice Chairman Wayne Collier on 01621 893644.

Wayne Collier said: "This is another new venture for Maldon Town Youth and with the structure being put in place over the next two years, we are looking to develop girls football within the Maldon area, to run alongside our successful boys section.

"We thoroughly welcome and encourage girls and ladies to the Club and the youth section is very keen to form links with the Plume School.

"To help and assist the senior youth age group we are also currently looking for girl players with the school age groups years 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 to start training and to play in some festival days with an intention to play in under 12 and 14 sections in 2002."

Anyone interested should contact either Michelle or Wayne.

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