Three young footballers have made their official debuts for Bath Arsenal Juniors Football Club – continuing a remarkable family connection with the club stretching back three generations.
Arlo, Quinn and Teddy have all pulled on the shirt for the club’s U7 Tigers this season, following in the footsteps of fathers, uncles, brothers and grandfathers who have represented or helped run Bath Arsenal over the years.
For Arlo, joining the Tigers continues a particularly strong family tradition. His older brother Noah has already represented the club, while his dad Richard currently manages both the U7 and U14 teams. His uncle George and grandfather Chris West have also worn the Bath Arsenal colours.
Quinn is following dad Callum, who now helps coach the U7s, as well as uncle Ross and grandfather Barry Davies.
Teddy, meanwhile, joins a Bath Arsenal family that already includes his brother Joseph, who currently plays for the U8 Tigers. His uncle Ben and grandfather John Horan were also heavily involved with the club before him.
The three grandfathers – Barry Davies, Chris West and John Horan – were involved during the early years of Bath Arsenal, helping to run teams and giving local youngsters the opportunity to play football. Now, decades later, their grandchildren are starting their own football journeys at the same club.
Bath Arsenal Juniors has been part of the city’s grassroots football community since 1989 and is run entirely by volunteers, providing football for children from the age of five through to 18, when players move on to senior football.
Ben Dawkins from Bath Arsenal Juniors said, “As a club we’ve been running since 1989. We’re entirely volunteer led and cater for children from age five through to the age of 18, when the kids join senior football.”
The club is also keen to welcome more players and volunteers, with support available for anyone interested in getting involved in coaching.
Ben added, “We’re always actively looking for both players and volunteer coaches and will support any new coaches with FA coaching qualifications.”
For Bath Arsenal, the arrival of its three newest Tigers is a particularly fitting example of what grassroots football can mean to families and communities. Children can begin as young players, stay involved as parents and coaches and, years later, see another generation of their family pull on the same shirt.
Find out more about Bath Arsenal Juniors at batharsenaljuniors.co.uk.
