FOOTBALLERS and avid supporters are getting ready to celebrate the opening of a brand new �70,000 sports pavilion.

Stebbing Football Club and the Flitch Youth Football Club are set to benefit from new changing facilities which will let both clubs move forward and expand across all age groups.

The long-awaited building will replace a portacabin with no electricity, running water or toilet facilities.

Stebbing Parish Council clerk Linda White said: “This project has taken many years to come to fruition.

“Constantly changing legislation on health and safety and child protection meant lodging new planning applications on three occasions but at last, thanks to the generous support of the Football Foundation who have guided us through the various stages, we are now ready for the 2010 – 2011 football season with purpose-designed changing facilities.”

Under the umbrella of Stebbing Parish Council, the two clubs will jointly manage the new facility.

But the key which finally unlocked the door was a �20,000 grant from the Football Foundation – the nation’s largest sports charity that is funded by the Premier League, The FA, and the Government via Sport England.

Launched in July 2000, the foundation celebrates its tenth anniversary this summer and has so far supported around 8000 community sports projects worth �920m. Across Essex alone it has funded 311 projects worth �23m.

Chief executive Paul Thorogood said: “We are delighted that the clubs and the local community will have access to these fantastic new facilities.

“I commend Stebbing Parish Council, both football clubs, and the Essex County FA for their hard work in making this happen.”

The official opening of the changing rooms will take place at 11am on Saturday September 4 at Alcott Playing Field, Stebbing.

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