In the third year of the club's fledgling history, chairman Steve Hill embarked on a friendship that would change the direction of his vision for Ladybridge F.C. forever.

Dutch facilities at amateur level  exceed those in England

A local family who had returned from living in Holland put Steve in contact with Dutch side Marvilde and the first of many exchanges between the two clubs was arranged for later that year.

"I had played at a decent standard of football when I was younger but I’d never played in Europe before," Steve told ladybridge.net.

"But I had heard about how much money had been invested in European grass-roots football, so I had expectations that the trip was going to be one hell of a learning experience for me personally."

What Steve, the children and the other club representatives saw in Holland was amatuer football at a level that was unheard of in England.

"The facilities, changing rooms and the surfaces that the children were playing football on were a real eye-opener," says Steve.

"They even had sprinklers on one of the pitches! We recognised that we were at least a few decades behind what was considered standard in amateur Dutch football."

Despite the gulf in standard between the two clubs, Steve was impressed with the welcoming nature of the Dutch outfit as well as their attitude.

"They were very good hosts and their approach to football is something I've tried to incoporate into Ladybridge Football Club.

"They have a very relaxed culture that takes all the anxiety out of the game and it was inspiring to see that the children weren’t only being taught football, they were also being taught life-skills."

Marvilde were invited to Ladybridge in 1993 but Steve admits he was intitally nervous about the return-leg.

"I was apprehensive certainly because the difference in facilities between the two clubs was huge at that time," remembers Steve.

"But I was also excited about the types of things we would be able to achieve during their stay. We took them to (former Bolton Wanderers ground) Burnden Park and linked up with Bolton Lads’ Club to use some of their pitches for games."

Ladybridge FC has since gone on to become one of the most progressive and innovative amatuer football sides in the North West and Steve has no doubt about where the inspiration for his vision came from.

"Marvilde has had the biggest impact on the direction that this club has tried to take in the last 17 years," says Steve.

"Obviously the help of volunteers and parents has been invaluable and we wouldn’t be where we are today if we hadn’t received that, but that first trip to Holland in 1992 was the real catalyst for me.

“They were formed in 1926, are steeped in local history and aren’t driven by the desire to be the biggest club in the world. That’s not what it’s all about. It’s about what standards you set and how you conduct yourself.

"What we’ve achieved in 17 years is phenomenal and I’m confident the next 17 years will bring even more progress."

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