THE Blackburn and District Football Combination is launching a new Veterans League in time for the 2015-16 campaign.

Aimed at the over 35s, the league will be a nine-a-side competition and open to all vets.

The league’s secretary Bill Markham said: “This is a completely new competition, and the aim is to create another league for veterans to play in.

“We know a lot of vets play in five and seven a side competition, but we don’t have a nine a side competition in Blackburn, so hopefully there will be a lot of interest.”

The league is hoping to get the new tournament up and running by September with a minimum of six teams, initially, competing in the league.

“We want to make the league as enjoyable and flexible as possible for the players,” added Bill who won the Lancashire Telegraph Grassroots Heroes Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013.

“For example, teams can choose when they would like to play the fixtures.

“Maybe a Saturday morning kick-off, so that the players who want to can go off and see Blackburn Rovers play or have their afternoon free can do that after a game of football.”

Bill added: “A lot of people work shifts too, so the flexibility the league offers might appeal to them as well.”

All the fixtures will be played on grass pitches, with thirty minutes each half and roll on roll off substitutions.

“The Blackburn Combination is a very well established league, so we have plenty of experience, and we’ll be able to offer plenty of help with administration and advice.

“Also, we’ll be able to provide experienced referees, so everything is in place.

“At this stage we are not sure what the response will be, but we’ll be writing to all the clubs in the league and, hopefully, we’ll get a really positive feedback from all over the region.”

Contact Bill on 01254 54486 or 07909 643527 or e-mail wpmref@outlook.com