CERNE Abbas and Piddle Valley Pumas have merged to form Cerne Abbas Football Club.

The united front will enable the newly-formed club to enter four teams in next season’s Dorset Youth League.

Merger talks began a month ago as both clubs, despite having plenty of members, were finding it difficult to put teams of the same age group together.

Now, with almost 80 boys and girls between the ages of six and 16, the combined outfit can put forward four teams – Under-9s, 10s, 11s and 12s – for the new campaign.

Cerne Abbas FC chairman Andy Ross said: “The fact that the merger has come together so quickly and smoothly is a testament to the commitment of everyone involved to provide football for children of all ages.”

Keith Williams, current chairman of the Pumas, added: “Piddle Valley Pumas and Cerne Abbas have a common approach to the game, where the emphasis is placed firmly on having fun and good sportsmanship, helping to boost the players’ self esteem whilst teaching them the skills to play the game.”

The previous two clubs both had humble beginnings. The Pumas began in 2004 as the brainchild of Terry Higson-Guy, who rallied together a group of children for Saturday morning training sessions.

Then, in 2005, Ross organised a kick around for just three kids and that was to be the birth of Cerne Abbas.

Despite their small beginnings, both clubs soon grew, attracting youngsters from a wider area.

A sponsored cycle enabled Piddle Valley to raise sufficient starting funds and in 2006 the Pumas won the Under-8 Mini-Soccer League before recording top-five finishes in the next two campaigns.

Last year, the Pumas triumphed at the Stalbridge FC five-a-side tournament, scooping the prize for best sportsmanship in the process.

Ross ran Cerne Abbas’ team almost single-handed for three years as coach, secretary, treasurer, referee and even groundsman.

But with close to 50 children it became too much and he issued a plea for help. The response was amazing with 20 people coming forward within days to relieve the workload.

Cerne Abbas FC is always looking for new members. Anyone interested should contact Andy Ross (Under-9s and 10s) on 01300 341804, Mark Conway (Under-11s) on 01300 345584 or 07889 218156, or Keith Williams (Under-12s) on 07789 968606.

Boys and girls are welcome, even if they are outside the above age groups.