A mission of more than two years to turn a field in Altrincham into a home for Timperley FC's girls' teams is almost at an end.

The field found on The Devisdale, which is owned by Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, has been out of use for decades.

James Naylor, a coach who helped to start Timperley FC's girls' teams and who has led his daughter's side since, saw in the site a chance to expand from their site off Stockport Road.

Alongside another coach, Kirk Malone, as well as a number of others involved in the club, he has brought it to within weeks of its first game.

The process started pre-pandemic in 2020, when a conversation between coaches at Timperley FC prompted James to contact Altrincham Grammar School for Girls about the field.

A lot of administration ensued, including applications for approval to work on the field, as well as for grants from the Football Foundation and Trafford Council to support this work.

James said: "It was all paperwork and phone calls and WhatsApps and Zooms."

Only towards the end of last year was it possible to start on the site itself, which was covered in blackthorn bushes and 10 to 12-inch hillocks.

James, Kirk and others committed their spare time to transform the site over the course of several months.

By spring this year, it was clear and ready to be re-seeded, although this was not the end of their struggles.

Initially, the grass was too fragile for a tractor to cut it.

James said: "Two of us went on with an electric mower and a petrol mower. The two of us went up and down and did the entire thing.

"My wife would say she has been made a widow to The Devisdale, but she knows the outcome is we will have this wonderful thing."

Established in 1992, Timperley FC offers football to around 400 children across its boys' and girls' teams. On Fridays, 'Wildcat' sessions also offer girls the chance to get into football for the first time.

James said the pitch comes at 'a perfect time' in light of the wave of enthusiasm caused by The Lionesses' success at Euro 2022, although he stressed the importance of extra coaches and sponsorship if the club is to maintain its momentum.

For information, go to timperleyfc.co.uk.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. Jack is the reporter for The Messenger and covers anything and everything from within the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford.

To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.