Football stars kick off anniversary party in Dudley

More than 700 people associated with Sedgley White Lions attended a special ceremony at The Venue in Dudley to mark the occasion.

The club were formed at the White Lion pub in Bilston Street, Sedgley, in 1985 and have gone on the become a successful side in the Midlands at various age groups.

The first team most recently played in the Dudley and Cradley league but will move to the Wolverhampton Sunday League from next season.

The Lions currently has teams all the way down to Under 9s, but will be extending that further with an Under 8s team set to launch.

Former Wolves manager and Aston Villa forward Saunders and ex-Villa star Hendrie accepted the invitation to hand out awards to the Lions' stars of the season.

Young Sedgley White Lions players took the opportunity to get autographs and selfies with the stars.

Saunders' had a brief and unsuccessful spell as Wolves boss in 2013 but is respected in the game for his goalscoring exploits at Aston Villa and Liverpool among other clubs.

Hendrie promised much when he burst onto the scene at Villa during the 1990s and made one appearance for England.

John Timmins, from the club, said he was delighted to get the former footballers on board. They were contacted through a sports agent.

He said: "Last October we started talking about what we could do differently this year for the anniversary. One of the lads said he knew someone who might be able to help.

"They did the presenting to all the players and did photos too. It was great for the boys."

The evening also saw more than £2,000 raised for charity through an auction in which a signed Manchester United shirt and boxing gloves that belonged to Black Country boxer Pat Cowdell sold off.

Each Lions team was invited onto the stage to pick up a trophy for their efforts during the season.

Chairman Ken Lockley said: It was a real success. Everybody enjoyed it. We have enjoyed presentations before but they have always been the same. Having Madison Media on board, who helped set up the evening, has really dragged us into the 21st century.

"To have two former footballers was a real bonus and they really took the time with the kids and signed autographs for them."

The club has come along way since its formation in the pub 30 years ago.

Then there was the just the one team which played in the church league.

Ken said: "Over the years the club has grown is strength and stature and now boasts 11 teams and a total playing membership of around 150.

"The Lions are currently one of the largest, most respected and successful teams in the borough.

"Now we have a team for each age group and a girls' team. We have a new under-8s team that will be starting next season."

"We are looking to grow the club, we do a mini soccer centre to encourage youngsters and teach them football skills.

Two sides, the Under 12s East and Under 12s West, were jointly awarded the special Golden Boot trophy. The East side for winning the Bilston League Premier Division title and Charity Cup while remaining unbeaten for 12 months and the West for their determination to keep going after the loss of two managers in quick succession left them on the verge of folding."

Ken said: "Success can be recognised in all sorts of ways, whether that's winning trophies or keeping a side on the straight and narrow and stopping them from going out of existence."