Wisbech Town Acorns Football Club’s dream of expanding to include two over-18s sides took a big step towards becoming reality after the club was awarded £3,000 from the Football Foundation.

The club has received the big-money grant as part of the foundation’s Grow the Game campaign, which aims to encourage under-represented groups into playing football by covering the cost of starting up new teams.

The grant, which will provide a boost to grassroots football in Wisbech, has paved the way for the Acorns to create two post-18 male sides over the next two seasons, alongside offering training for new coaches and a physios as well as providing kit and helping with the costs of training in winter.

Rob Gifford, the club’s president and current chairman, said: “I have always felt that there are too many younger players go to adult football too early and drop out of the game as a result.

“My aim in my time at the club has been to see us be able to offer post-18 football for those that want it and to enable those players to continue to progress at their own rate.

“This grant from the Football Foundation has helped us achieve this and with a second side planned for season 2017-2018 it means you will be able to come to our club as a small child and continue to play with your friends for as long as you want.”