IT'S not every day a new sports club is launched, but that's what local men Peter Entwistle and John Rooney did recently when they unveiled Fairfield Sports Club.

"I was starting to think the day would never happen, what started as a kick about with a few lads on Broad Oak Lane playing fields has escalated into the club you now see," said John.

Chairman John, treasurer Dave Coulsen and secretary Peter Entwistle were joined by Bury FC players George Clegg and Steve Gunby, along with Sam Jones of Bury CVS and Stephanie Devine from Community Development to celebrate the occasion.

The idea for the club came from Peter Entwistle, who wanted top see Broad Oak Lane playing fields used properly, amid rumours the council planned to re-develop them.

He drew up plans of just what the they could look like if they were used to cater for 'ball' sports, such as football, rugby league/union, cricket, hockey, lacrosse, basketball, tennis and rounders. A track also surrounds the fields and goes through the woodland area, making it ideal for mounting biking and horse riding.

An increase in incidents of teenagers 'causing problems' in the area spurred local residents to look for a solution, and that solution became Fairfield FC, set up in May of 2002 by John Rooney.

John approached Peter Entwistle for help and they put together Fairfield FC Juniors under 14s, playing in the North Bury Junior League.

This was followed by a senior team, who played friendlies around the area until March this year, when John approached Victoria FC's David Coulsen, at the time the team played in the Bury Amateur League, finishing finished the season league runners-up and Kenyon Cup winners.

John, together with David Coulsen and Peter Entwistle then merged Fairfield FC and Victory FC to form the new Fairfield Sports Club, which now runs two teams, playing in the Lancashire Amateur League's Division Two and Division Two Reserves. The new senior team has also provided a natural progression for the juniors, now managed by Chris Harreld.

Although football is the club's main sport, it is looking to develop teams in other sports to become a true sporting club. Anyone interested in setting up any other teams should contact Peter on 07973 674514.