The baby boom began at the Willowbridge Lane club when full back Paul Philpott’s wife Collette gave birth to son Finlay in March, followed by John Bramham welcoming daughter Ebony Faith into the world with wife Sophie.

Celebrations continued when player Stuart Morley and wife Nichola wetted the head of daughter Grace two weeks ago – and winger Craig Jeffels’ son Finley was born to girlfriend Lindsey Wilson on Thursday April 3.

Proud dad-of-two Craig, 25, said: “It’s absolutely mad, I still can’t believe it.

“Nobody realised that the girls were due so close together until they started arriving – we must have had a great win about nine months ago.”

Team coach Steve Johnson and wife Alex also received a bundle of joy this season when son Noah arrived five months ago.

Chris Willett, the club’s director of sport, said the pitter patter of tiny feet had stopped for the moment.

He added: “It’s like there’s been a baby machine here – I want to know when the big party was and why I missed it.

“Some games were difficult because we played 170 miles away while the team worried about their families.

“We’ve already got the makings of a second side now so I’ve told the boys to start behaving.”