TRANMERE Rovers co-owner Nicola Palios has been appointed president of Shaftesbury Youth Club.

The historic Birkenhead club first opened its doors in the 1880s and is one of the town's oldest institutions.

Nicola was invited by the club to be its president after John Gordon-Smith stood down following ten years' service.

Shaftesbury chairman and trustee John E Jones said: “We were delighted with Nicola’s decision to join us.

"We are especially pleased to have secured Nicola to preside over the club through the next phase of its evolution.

"Her experience of the legal sector, trust administration, youth and sporting affairs will be of immense value to the club as will her experience of management and of non-executive roles in very high profile organisations.”

Nicola said: “I am looking forward to working with the council and staff of the club.

"The team, along with my predecessor John Gordon-Smith, have set a clear strategy for the organisation.

"There is much now to be done to ensure that this unique club continues to innovate and grow in its sector for the benefit of local youth and the local community.”

Founded in 1886 as the Shaftesbury Boys' Club in rooms above a shop in Chester Street, Birkenhead, the club grew steadily until it needed much bigger premises and moved to new, large headquarters between Jackson Street and Thomas Street in 1911 where it is prospered for 60 years.

Then, due to a change in the character of central Birkenhead caused by the construction of the tunnel flyovers and the demolition of many houses, it moved to its present building in 1971 next to its own playing fields.

In the early-1990s, it was decided to admit girl members so the historic Boys' Club name was changed to Youth Club.

But the new club lacked facilities for girls, along with better provision for disabled people.

Plans were drawn up in 1995 and the Foundation for Sport and the Arts offered a grant of £100,000, conditional upon the club raising the balance of £80,000.

Fundraising appeals were launched to meet the shortfall and many local firms and individuals plus several charitable trusts donated a good part of the target figure, but the gap was still too big.

Finally, the National Lottery came to the rescue with a grant of £62,600 via the Sports Council.

Last year Shaftesbury received a £43,000 grant from Sport England to fund re-surfacing of its five-a-side all-weather pitch.

The club is now the home of Birkenhead Youth Hub.