An Eye opener for ICA in new merger

ONE of the most iconic names in local football could be no more.

Eye Sports & Social will disappear from the Chromasport & Trophies Peterborough & District League Premier Division landscape at the end of the current season.

The club was formed following the departure of the great Eye United - who later became Peterborough Northern Star - from the village in 2003 when they rose into non-league football.

But Eye Sports & Social are also now moving into the city after merging with fellow local club FC Inter to become ICA Sports.

The first team, bossed by

mark.plummer@jpress.co.uk colourful local character Gino Agius for the last five seasons, will remain in the Premier Division and now be based at the Riverside Pavilion in Woodston.

Agius said: “I was approached about the possibility of coming over and merg- ing with FC Inter and it didn’t take long for me to make my mind up.

“We have seen the way Netherton do things by bringing through players from their own junior ranks into senior football and we want to create something similar at ICA Sports.

“We have put a lot into making Eye Sports a success but it has become too much hard work.

“Eye Sports were near the bottom of Division Two when I went there and we could move on as the third-placed team in the Premier Division.

“I’m very proud of the job I have done but the playing conditions are far from ideal and there is just not enough support.

“We have to do everything ourselves from marking out the pitches to clearing up.

“People like Dick Turner, who looks after the ground, Matt Leftley and Kat Leftley have all been terrific, but I can’t help feeling that senior football is not really wanted there by the Parish Council.

“Eye Sports has been good for me and I’d like to think I’ve been good for them, but the time is now right to move on.”

The current Eye Sports reserve side - run by Matt Leftley - is also set to move under the ICA banner, meaning the village is almost certain to be left without an adult team.

ICA - the Italian Community Association - plan to have three men’s sides playing on a Saturday in all along with at least two Sunday morning senior sides and a veteran’s team.

They also hope to launch their own junior set-up to create a club that produces it’s own talent locally.

Chairman Ces Serluca said: “ICA have been without football teams for a couple of years but were very keen on getting it up and running again.

“I’m a former ICA player myself so I’m proud to be behind a relaunch of the name in local football and I know we will be given plenty of help and support from the association.

“I have been courting Gino for some time and I’m delighted that he has agreed to come over with his team.

“We have plans for several teams and hopefully the name of ICA will help create plenty of interest.”

ICA Sports are keen to hear from any junior teams who may be interested in coming under their banner.

Chairman Ces Serluca is the contact on 07827446844.