GOAL; Not that you can drive a bus through our defence.

Byline: DAVE ROBSON

FOOTBALLERS given the boot from a bus shelter have achieved their goal of having a pitch to call their own.

Youths used the shelter in The Fleet, Dormanstown, as a goal for their street kickabouts. But neighbourhood police officers got so sick of moving them on, they asked whether they'd like to move the goalposts - literally.

A sub-group was formed to see where the lads could play football without annoying locals.

The group, comprising representatives from Cleveland Police, Cleveland Fire Brigade, several council departments and some of the footballers themselves, soon identified an unused field behind Dormanstown Primary School. The plan received 100% support from locals - and FC Dormo was born.

Cleveland Police paid for the goalposts, the Extended Schools Service gave cash for the nets and away strips and Redcar and Cleveland's anti-social behaviour team footed the bill for the home strips.

Players for Dormo FC, who will start next season in Redcar District League division two, have even been taking part in football coaching courses.

To celebrate the new pitch and team, a family fun day will be held on Sunday from 11.30am, featuring a bouncy castle, face painting, a climbing wall, speed cage and sports development taster sessions.

Highlight of the day will be a charity football match, with Dormo FC taking on police and partners. Kick-off is at 1pm and all money raised will go to the Mayor's Charities Fund.

Dormanstown Community Forum funded a shield for the winner in memory of life-long resident Cliff Houlding, who died recently.

Dormanstown Police Community Support Officer Claire Vodden said the street soccer used to caused real problems. "Day and night, large groups used that bus shelter as a goal and local residents weren't very happy," she said. "We'd confiscate the lads' footballs but next day, they'd be back again because they said they had nowhere else to go." Now, she said: "Anti-social behaviour has dramatically reduced." Team member Guy Holding said: "Instead of kids getting into trouble, now there are always groups of them playing football after school. As well as the older lads, kids come from all over to play." Redcar Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Andrew Bright said: "This is an exciting initiative which has been rewarding for all involved. Key to its success has been the vision and commitment of the young people of Dormanstown."

CAPTION(S):

COULDN'T STOP HERE: The lads left, swapped this bus shelter for a real goalmouth NET RESULT: Dormo FC's Kirk Porritt, front left, and Anthony Jones practise their footie skills on their new pitch