Trevor Boardman, the club’s chairman, says that in between her studies at University, Natalie now devotes her time to coaching and training with Everton Ladies.

“We are proud of so many of our girls, but while we’ve enjoyed individual success, it’s as a development club that we’ve really made our name.

“We are very proud of how far the club has come in the 10 years since we were formed – particularly as we became the first club in Redditch to achieve The FA Charter Standard.

“A highlight has to be a visit by Sir Bobby Charlton in 2000 which was inspirational to both the committee and players alike, and our progress was boosted in 2003 when Sir Trevor Brooking presented the club with a cheque for £1,000 in recognition of our Voluntary Investment Programme,” Trevor adds.

Redditch’s objective of introducing all interested girls in the local community to football has paid off to the extent that an average of 120 turn up for the Friday night training sessions.

“The club train as a group - and not as individual teams within the club – throughout 50 weeks of the year. We also hold an eight-week summer school on Saturday mornings where any girl can come along and see if they want to play football.

"Some of them are more interested in the fitness side of the game and just want to train with us – but nobody is turned away.

“The club is acknowledged as being well structured, and we are now reviewing opportunities for wheelchair players and girls with mild learning disabilities into the club, with links to the Redditch Special Olympics and two special schools in the area.

"In fact, one of our under-16s has returned with two bronze medals from the European Disability Games in Helsinki."

To ensure the continued opportunity for females to play the game of football, a few of the parents got together to form Redditch United Women’s FC. As planned, the team operated as an independent club and now plays competitive football in the West Midlands Women’s League as Studley Women.

Les Howie, The FA’s National Development Manager (Club), says: “Redditch United Girls’ Football Club are the embodiment of everything that The FA Charter Standard represents.

“They have made tremendous strides in the 10 years since they were formed, and they are the perfect example of why we are only too pleased to reward quality in grassroots football.”