NEW Suffolk FA County Support Officer Ruth Ward is no stranger to grassroots football.

Ruth, who will be 41 next week, is married to Tamlyn, who is Youth Chairman at Felixstowe & Walton United FC.

She has been a member of the club’s main committee for the past five years and is Girls’ Secretary.

Ruth is also the club’s Charter Standard co-ordinator and on the social committee.

She was born in Ipswich and attended Westbourne High School, but moved to Felixstowe when she married Tamlyn in 1999.

The couple have two children – 16-year-old Harrison and Eloise, 14, who both play for Felixstowe & Walton United’s Youth teams. Harrison also plays for Brantham Athletic.

Ruth’s role will involve providing administration to support key business operations across the organisation, including the administration of all Suffolk FA courses.

She said: “I am excited to get stuck in and learn more about grassroots football in the county.

“I look forward to meeting and dealing with our customers who are booking on our courses and being able to help wherever possible.”

Ruth replaces James Morley, who was appointed as Suffolk FA Mini Soccer & Youth Football Development Officer earlier this year.

Suffolk FA Senior Football Development Officer Darren Scoulding said: “I speak for the whole office when I say how delighted we are that Ruth has joined us.

“We had really high-calibre applicants for this post and Ruth’s administrative experience, knowledge of grassroots football and critically her enthusiasm to make a difference to football in Suffolk, made her the stand-out choice.”

Ruth can be contacted by calling 01449 616606 or by email via  ruth.ward@suffolkfa.com