LEDBURY Town Football Club's chairman says he can't thank Ledbury residents enough who helped ensure the club was able to play its first game at New Street in six months at the weekend.

The club was forced out of the ground following a dispute over rent arrears with New Street owners' Property Solutions Ledbury Ltd.

A deal was struck recently so that Ledbury Town could return to the ground under a sub-license administered by Ledbury Swifts junior club, and played at the home ground for the first time since April on Saturday, (October 24).

It had been a race against time to get the ground ready, as just a few days before the match it was still doubtful whether the pitch would be ready.

The grass was so long it had to be mowed five times, while weeds also had to be removed and stands tidied for spectators.

Chairman John Preedy praised the club's dedicated volunteers as the game was able to go-ahead, attracting a crowd of 60 fans despite poor weather.

"The community have been absolutely brilliant," Mr Preedy said.

"We couldn't thank them enough really.

"We haven't known what was going to happen from one week to the next but our main aim is to keep Ledbury Town Football Club going - a club of 122 years' history."

A good size crowd attended the game, which visitors Leominster won 4-2.

But the chairman said there was a carnival atmosphere, which continued into the evening when a previously arranged fundraiser for the club at Ledbury's Royal British Legion club turned into a celebratory evening.

Mr Preedy added: "There was a good atmosphere on the day.

"We are making progress - we thought we would have to advertise for sponsors but at the moment we haven't had to.

"People are 100 per cent behind us."