Work has been taking place to get the playing fields and facilities in Saundersfoot up to scratch for the newly formed football team.

After it was announced last month that New Hedges/Saundersfoot United FC will be registering a team for this coming season in Division 5 of the Manderwood Pembrokeshire League, the resurgence of the football team is only one aspect of the improvements that need to be made, county councillor for Saundersfoot’s south ward Cllr Chris Williams has stated.

“The Covid pandemic has had a significant influence on community life in Saundersfoot and was a major factor in disbanding our village football team and locals joined neighbouring clubs as a result - but hopefully we have turned a corner and we now have a strong committee of 18 as well as 28 attending the first training session,” said Cllr Williams, adding that Mark, Stu and Alan had done an ‘amazing job’ in getting everything started.

“Saundersfoot has a proud history in both senior and junior levels, having won many league and cup titles. The club will start again in Division Five and will provide sporting opportunities for local players,” he continued.

“The playing surface is in outstanding condition and that’s down to Chris, Paul and Roger who work tirelessly to make sure it is fit for match days. Unfortunately, the boundaries have crept up on the field and this hasn’t been maintained for the best part of thirty years. A working party has been meeting up over the last six weeks in cutting and removing brambles and nettles.

“Richard Merriman has been called in to landscape the top end of the field and clean out the draining ditch. His fantastic work has reclaimed over an acre of useable land.

“The volunteers have cleared away two ton sacks of plastic bottles, cans, glass and other discarded rubbish that has been hidden away in the undergrowth.

“There seems to be a renewed interest to not only improve the fields but also look to improve sporting action at the King George V playing fields,” added Cllr Williams.

A 50th anniversary ‘golden get together’ is to be held at Saundersfoot’s Regency Hall tomorrow (Saturday) with all players, committee or anyone associated with New Hedges and/or Saundersfoot Football Club over the last 50 years invited to the nostalgic reunion to celebrate.