LEDBURY Swifts are celebrating a record year, with an unprecedented number of teams, players and trainers, while looking forward to an eventful 2015.

The Swifts believe they are now the largest youth football club in Herefordshire, with 16 teams; and ahead lies a £30,000 fund-raising drive, to refurbish the club house, and a two day youth soccer tournament in the summer of 2015, which will attract up to 60 teams from far and wide.

Swifts president, Steve Onions said: "Our club is thriving, with a lot of new coaches coming through for all stages, from the younger groups all the way up to the older groups.

"It has never been like this. It is a record year for us, absolutely."

He added: "We have a lot of helpers, including a lot of soccer mums, which is great."

The Swifts' big year included the club's largest ever presence at an international soccer tournament in Strömstad, Ledbury's Swedish twin town.

For over a decade the Swifts have been sending an under 16s side to the Roberts Club international tournament, to play against some of the best youth sides in Scandinavia.

This year the Swifts sent two teams for the first time ever - with one squad losing in the main finals and the other line-up managing to triumph by lifting the "B" cup.

"It was a great success," said Mr Onions.

The Swifts believe their own mayor tournament, at the Ledbury Rugby Club site in the summer of 2015, will attract sixty teams from all over the Three Counties and Wales, to take place over two days.

The club is also a fund-raising success story, - managing to raise up to £20,000 each year to meet expenses.

Fund-raising includes sponsored events and tournaments.

Swifts Chairman, Nick Fish said: "We have more than 250 children on our books and 43 level 1 and Level 2 trained, all CRB checked.

"The club has been at the largest it has ever been, over the past twelve months.

"It is a remarkable achievement for Ledbury."

The club is looking to Herefordshire Council and Herefordshire Football Association for help when it comes to finding funding for the club house refurbishment.

But if all goes to plan, the club house will be refurbished at some time next year, allowing it to be used more for indoor training sessions, such as the screening of coaching videos.