WYKE Regis Social Club’s United have celebrated 40 years of membership in the Weymouth and Portland Skittles League this year.

The milestone was marked by current and former players relieving their finest moments and achievements with photographs and old team shirts reminding them of those good old days.

Back in 1975, a group of lads who played Sunday League football from the Wellington Arms as Weymouth United decided to try their hand at the game of skittles.

Taking their moniker from their football team name, they went on to base their home alley at the Wyke Regis Social Club.

Starting from the bottom in the lowest league possible they climbed through the divisions over several years finally reaching Division One.

A few lavished years of silverware filled the trophy cabinet but the one that will forever stick in their minds would be the top-fight title success of 1991.

Club stalwart Greg Black said: “Over the years many players have come and gone and many have donned the blue, sky blue, green, red, pink or whatever coloured shirt it was that season, but United still boast three original members of the team.

“The three are Neil Harris, Rod Black and Dave Holloway.

“They were there from the beginning and have seen and done it all. There may be a few more grey hairs and are possibly a bit heavier than when they started but they are still giving everything for the cause with as much enthusiasm as they had 40 years ago.”

Fast forward to the present day and United now ply their trade in Division Two having become a little trophy-starved in recent years.

But they are still enjoying the camaraderie of the game and hoping to keep United’s legacy going for years to come.