About us

Who we are

Lydiate Ash Sports was founded in 2025 by a small group of coaches and a squad of 17 players who believed grassroots sport could be better. After years of coaching within other clubs, it became clear that our values didn’t align with the way things were being done. Too many young people were being left behind simply because their families couldn’t afford the rising costs of participation.

Growing up with very little, I personally understand exactly how it felt to be priced out of opportunity. That experience shapes the heart of this club: a commitment to ensuring that no child or adult should be excluded from sport because of their financial situation.

We started Lydiate Ash Sports to give something back to the community — based in Rubery for the B45 area. Growing up here, I saw limited local sporting opportunities and a huge amount of untapped potential. What began with one football team has quickly grown into a club built on fairness, respect, and genuine community spirit.

Why we exist

Lydiate Ash Sports was created to be more than a football club.

We exist to:

• Make sport affordable and accessible
• Remove barriers that stop people from taking part
• Provide a safe, positive environment for all ages
• Develop people, not just players
• Give young people life skills through sport
• Build a club the community can be proud of

We believe sport teaches far more than technique. It builds empathy, problem-solving, teamwork, leadership, punctuality, and respect — qualities that shape confident, capable young adults.

A multi-sport future

Football is where our journey began, but it’s not where it ends.

Lydiate Ash Sports is being built as a multi-sport community club, offering opportunities across a range of activities. As we grow, we plan to introduce:

• Netball
• Walking football
• Cycling
• Running
• Additional sports based on community demand

Our aim is simple: more sports. More opportunities. More ways for people to belong.

Our long-term vision

We are working towards:

• Achieving charity status to reduce costs for families
• Offering qualifications such as coaching and refereeing
• Creating a community hub where:
  • Young people can complete homework
  • Parents can relax with a tea or coffee
  • Local residents can socialise
  • Sport becomes the heartbeat of the area

We want Lydiate Ash Sports to be a place where everyone — regardless of background, ability, or circumstance — has the chance to grow, learn, and thrive.

Our values

Everything we do is built on three core principles:

Our promise

• We will always put people before profit.
• We will always keep sport affordable.
• We will always stay true to our values.
• We will always work to create opportunities for the next generation.

Lydiate Ash Sports is just getting started — and the future is bright.