Under-7s players and coaches from London Futsal Stars and Bloomsbury Football in Somers Town

THERE was “a real buzz in the air” on Saturday when the youngest age groups playing in the Camden Youth Football League kicked off their season at “an exciting new home”.

More than 2,500 youngsters from some 45 clubs now compete in the league every weekend at Coram’s Fields in Bloomsbury, the majority of whom are from Camden, Islington, and Westminster.

The demand left organisers searching for a new site so that they could fit in even more fixtures, and over the past 12 months they’ve hosted big away days at Ashburnham Community Primary School in Kensington & Chelsea and the Castlehaven sports pitches in the heart of Camden Town.

Some of the clubs’ Under-7s and Under-8s teams have now welcomed a new venue after playing their opening matches at the Somers Town Community Sports Centre in Chalton Street. And the action certainly didn’t disappoint with sides, including London Futsal Stars and Bloomsbury Football, putting on a scintillating showcase of silky skills.

One of the league’s founders, Ash Rahman, was pitchside on Saturday, cheering the players on. He said: “It’s great to be able to host big matchdays in the heart of Somers Town and to be able to offer some of our Under-7s and Under-8s teams an exciting new home.

“We tried other venues last season, but for one reason or another they didn’t quite fit for the new campaign.

“On Saturday there was a real buzz in the air with everyone saying they loved the new venue, and the children saying they were excited to be playing on the 4G pitches.

“Another plus point is that some coaches have older age groups playing at our main hub at Coram’s Fields on the same day, so if they need to get to both games they are now less than 20 minutes away.

“Plus we get to work with John Kennedy, who runs the Somers Town Community Sports Centre and is a real stalwart when it comes to youth football. It’s all very exciting.”