GOUROCK Youth Athletic Club are set for kick off as they get ready to restart their seven-a-side competitions again in a first step towards regenerating the club.

Registration is on next Friday and Saturday for seven to 12-year-old players and the club hopes to organise a tournament in summer.

The YAC has enjoyed 45 years of continuous competition which included celebrity matches featuring stars from Rangers and Celtic such as Graeme Souness and Jimmy Johnstone, pictured.

Honorary chairman Ronnie Ahlfeld said several thousand local children played in seven-a-side matches over a 20 year period.

The club was formed in 1970 and, at its peak, organised no less than 15 teams of 11-a-side and had more than 400 youngsters involved in seven-a-side matches every week.

Interest has fallen away a bit in recent years, but now a determined drive is on to recapture the glory days.

Mr Ahlfeld said: “Over the summer months it is hoped to reform the club central committee to restart the seven-a-sides, youth and community development and fundraising in collaboration with the newly formed Gourock Sports Hub.

“It is also hoped to reform the club social section, which was extremely popular with the local community in the past.

“Both Brian Woods, the honorary treasurer, and I are delighted with these progressive plans.

“We look forward to future generations of young children playing in and enjoying the YAC seven-a-sides.

“These are exciting plans and, with the implementation of the Gourock Sports Hub, the future looks very good for sport in Gourock.” The regeneration is being led by sports lecturer and coach, Martin Mulholland, who paid tribute to club members Stephen Houlihan and Robert Love.

He said: “They must be recognised for their work with the club and the fact that this new set-up will be aiming to enhance and assist in the great work currently being done by all the coaches with the 11-a-side teams.” Also involved in reviving the club is Mr Ahlfeld’s son, Robert, a sports lecturer and coach who is handling recruitment and communications.

He said: “We’re hoping to recruit a bigger volunteer army, with lots of friends and families involved.

“We’re looking at bringing in five and six-year-old players later on and also incorporating athletics, cricket, bowls and golf.” The registration fee for seven-a-sides is £10, with a discount for a second child from the same family.

Registration is at the YAC clubhouse in George Road, Gourock on Friday from 6pm to 8.30pm and Saturday from 10am to 12.30pm.