SALTASH Pilgrims, the town's triumphant women's football team - who won the county's ladies' FA cup final last weekend - look set to join forces with Plymouth Argyle.

If the deal, which has been on the table for around a year, goes through then the Pilgrims would change their name to Plymouth Argyle Ladies, and would play some of their home games at Home Park.

A formal request to change the name will be made at the annual meeting of the women's national league, the Pilgrims being members of the South West Combination Women's League. This League provides the opportunity for clubs to join the women's national league.

If the go-ahead is given then formal details will be hammered out between the Pilgrims and Argyle. Officials believe if all goes well a reserve team would play in the Westward Developments Devon Women's League. A press conference is planned at Argyle's ground on Monday morning, at which good news is expected to be announced.

Plymouth Argyle have been among the forerunners of women's football, and with this deal, if agreed, would have a girls' and women's section through from Under 12s to seniors. The club also has a girls' centre of excellence - the only one in Cornwall and Devon and just one of 31 countrywide.

Argyle's football in the community officer and girls' centre of excellence officer, Geoff Crudgington, said the girls would then have a 'pathway' for success, through from the under 12s into senior football. He said: 'Fulham, who have taken the lead in this country by going fully professional, were only playing in the equivalent league as the Pilgrims this year. Also, by having a women's team, it will show the club is increasing its commitment to the whole community.'

The Pilgrims took the County Cup Final by beating Marazion 4-0, the player of the match being their U16 trialist, Kate Middleton. Scorers were Angie Pope (2), Kate Middleton, and Marie Barrow.