ARDLEY United are set to add five more teams to their set-up as the club aims to strengthen their presence in the community.

From next season, the Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division outfit are aiming to run three extra junior sides, an Under 14 girls’ team and a development squad.

It is all part of chairman Ian Feaver’s plan to strengthen the link between the club and the village they represent.

After Bicester Town folded in 2018, Feaver knows Ardley must make the most of being the top club in the area.

He said: “We’re going to build from the bottom up and ultimately have sides from Under 7s to Under 17s.

“We aren’t just a youth club, we’re one big club. The kids will have something to aspire to.”

He added: “The biggest difference is the village is involved in the club.

“I was disappointed that Bicester Town folded, but we want to represent the area as best we can.”

Ardley’s development side will play in Hellenic League Division 2 under Carl Reed, currently boss of Oxfordshire Senior League side Chesterton, to help smooth the path between the junior section and the first team.

The introduction of Under 7, Under 8 and Under 11 teams will mean Ardley have mixed sides from Under 7s up to the Under 12s.

The girls’ side, while still unconfirmed, would further bolster the club’s thriving junior section, headed by James Stopps.

That has been a priority since Feaver took over as chairman in 2017, but he admits it has not been easy.

He said: “The last three years have been a huge learning curve – I’d never done anything like this.

“During the first two years we made some mistakes.

“We tried to do everything ourselves, but there aren’t enough hours in the day to do that.

“When you’re that busy you miss what’s going on around you, so you don’t hear some of the problems.

“The communication wasn’t fantastic because there were too few of us doing everything.”

Feaver confirmed interim boss Danial Knight’s future will be decided at the end of the season.

Knight’s side, who sit second-bottom of the table, were two goals down at Royal Wootton Bassett on Tuesday, but two Owen James strikes secured a 2-2 draw.

They visit Longlevens on Saturday.