ACCRINGTON Ladies FC are hoping to win promotion to Division Two of the North West Women's Regional League after their most successful season in years.

The club are currently fourth in Division Three of the league - with team captain Bev Watson promising that there are bigger and better things to come.

And to ensure a steady flow of talent into women's football, the club have recently joined forces with the Accrington Girls Soccer Academy, bringing their total membership up to around 100.

Bev, who also coaches youngsters, said: "Women's football is really taking off, especially in Accrington. It used to be really difficult to get players but now we're doing really well."

"The more players we have, the better chance we have of getting somewhere. We're the only ladies' team in Hyndburn and we're always on the lookout for new members."

"We're now being sponsored by Vic Allonby, who has provided us with a new kit. Our eventual aim is to have our own ground and training facilities, but that is a long way off yet."

The ladies' team currently has around 20 players, aged 15 to 38, but Bev said that next season they were hoping to attract enough members to start a reserve team, as well as expanding the number of junior teams.

They train twice a week at Hyndburn Sports Centre and Shadsworth, coached by Nick Rooney, and have so far played 18 games this season, winning 11 and losing seven.

Bev said: "This is one of the better seasons we have had for a while. We're officially fourth in the league but that is just on goal difference, and we have four games to go."

"Burnley and Everton are the top two teams, and our closest competitors are Greater Manchester Police."

"We beat them the last time we played them and we've got another game coming up, so it's really up to us whether we finish third or not."

Anyone interested in joining the ladies' or junior teams should contact Bev on 389764 or Joanne on 773808.