ONE hundred years of football in Hatherleigh was celebrated last weekend with activities and events organised to mark the centenary of the town?s football club.
Almost 200 players, old and new, gathered at the town?s sports field on Saturday to enjoy food, drink and nostalgic musical entertainment.
There was also a display of old photographs in the clubhouse, featuring players and teams from down the years.
Celebrations will continue throughout the year as Hatherleigh hope to fix-up a friendly match with Plymouth Argyle. Newly promoted Plymouth were unable to make it to the event as they were on a pre-season tour of Austria but they hope to set a mid-season match when they have a gap in their schedule.
Hatherleigh FC are also hoping they may be able to arrange a friendly with Exeter City.
Before then, the club welcomes local rivals Holsworthy to Hatherleigh at 3pm this Sunday, August 1, as part of the extended centenary celebrations.
Former Hatherleigh player Norman Piper who went on to play for Plymouth Argyle, Manchester City and Portsmouth has also offered to hold a training session with the team this autumn. Hatherleigh?s best-known former player is currently a coach with the San Diego Nomads in California and the club are very excited about his visit to Devon later this year.
Club spokesman Roy Smith said Hatherleigh was also hoping to set up an over-35s team and anyone interested in finding out more could ring him on 01837 810476.
Roy said several older ex-players had expressed an interest in writing and contributing towards a book chronicling the history of the club.
?For the size of the town, we have a very good and thriving club, and that is the amazing thing, over the years, the town has managed to play such a high standard of football,? Roy added.