A 24-year-old who created a pay-as-you-play football club in Congleton last month has been amazed at the response so far.

Max Ryder set up All For Fun FC for local players of mixed ages, abilities and gender - teams are split and he said there are usually between five and six females on the pitch at any one time.

From day one, there's been a wide range of Congleton residents taking part, from 18 to 65 who have benefitted from the flexibility and fun on offer.

Max said: "There were quite a few people asking, 'Is this right for me, or am I too old?', they might not have played for 20 years but obviously everyone's welcome.

"You just pay for a session. You don't have [an obligation] to come back. If you do, then keep coming."

The club already has enough members to field a full team, but it's not about competition for this Congleton footie club. Fitness and friendship the main goals.

There's no referee, no arguments about offside and the small 3G pitch means players are in close proximity to the ball and the action.

Spaces at All For Fun FC's Monday seven-a-side sessions at Congleton's Eaton Bank Academy are filling up with some sessions selling out.

Max took inspiration from his friend Joe, who runs a similar set up in Manchester, but also from his own experiences from a week of a GCSE work placement.

The enjoyment of that council-led programme coaching wheelchair basketball in Alsager inspired him to extend it out to every Saturday for about a year.

The football team is helping locals, some of whom who might not want to venture to a competitive team environment or commit to a club every week.

The club has just under 100 followers on Facebook.

Even so, Max said he has created a player-of-the-match trophy as a keepsake.

He said: "Usually, you get a trophy, take it home and have to bring it back.

"When you get it, it's engraved with 'player of the match' and then underneath has All For Fun FC underneath.

"Someone wins it, week in, week out, for them to keep."

Games take place on Monday evenings at Eaton Bank Academy on Jackson Road in Congleton.

More details about booking a spot with All For Fun FC can be found via their Facebook page or the website.

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