MORDA United Football Club has a long and distinguished history on both sides of the border.

The Shropshire club can trace its history as far back as 1897 and competed in local competition until 1954.

Following a 22 year absence the club reformed under the guidance of Frank Taylor.

The club entered the Shrewsbury and District League before progressing to the West Shropshire Alliance in 1981 where they were runners up in their first season, before completing the double the following season.

This era produced the club’s best ever side, dominating the local football scene.

So much so that United won the popular Graham Edward’s trophy on countless occasions in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

When beating The Bell in the late 1970s to win the trophy, the successful side were dubbed ‘The Morda Babes’ with the side having an average age of 18 and including players destined to play at a higher level.

They were the last side to win the Shropshire County League three years in a row and in 1983 they famously completed a five trophy haul which included the league, cup, Graham Edwards Trophy, Ethleston Cup and Powell Cup.

During this period the club were led by player-manager Colin Turner.

Turner was raised in the village and has won a string of trophies as both player and manager and ran the first team right up until they folded.

In the late 1980s and in search of a fresh challenge, Morda looked west and entered the Mid Wales section of the Welsh National League.

The Mid Wales League was among the strongest in Wales during this time and included Newtown, Aberystwyth Town and Welshpool Town in its ranks.

The club rose to their new challenge, finishing fourth in the first two seasons.

The Weston Road club savoured its time in Wales.

Along the way in the Welsh system, the club won the league cup, two summer cups and three runners up spots in the Central Wales Challenge Cup.

In 1990/1991 the club had its finest hour in the Welsh system, winning the championship by beating Llansantffraid.

The small village side had fought off competition from some big Mid Wales clubs to win the league title.

Two more runners up spots followed, before the system was restructured and the League of Wales was born.

Despite a 100 per cent vote from all clubs, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) barred Morda from entering what was then the Cymru Alliance, and the club had no option but to return to English football.

In 1994/95 the club entered its highest standard in England, the West Midland Regional League First Division, finishing third in their first campaign.

After several successful seasons in the system, travelling became too much for players and the club returned to the Shropshire County League, the division it had dominated in the 80s.

The club tasted success in Shropshire, finishing runners up and winning a challenge cup.

The club moved its reserve side back into the Welsh system, however in 2014/15 the club decided to scrap its reserve side, and opt for one team in Wales.

Under the guidance of stalwart Colin Turner, the Yellows enjoyed immiediate success.

The Montgomeryshire League Division Two title was won in 2015.

The following season they finished runners up to Llanfair, and in recent years also won a league cup.

However in 2018, after dwindling player interest the decision was made by the club’s officials to fold the side, bringing to an end more than four decades of glorious history.

Since its rebirth the club won around 50 honours, produced a string of entertaining sides and a number of players who have gone on to play at a higher level in both England and Wales.

Morda remains a football village and last season ran an under 15s side with plans to reform a senior string next season.