AMBITIOUS plans to redevelop facilities at West Auckland Town FC’s ground have been unveiled.
The proposals would see the existing clubhouse, tea room and treatment room demolished and replaced.
Officials are hoping the work will be carried out during the summer off-season, with Evenwood’s CA Group poised to take down and remove the outdated buildings.
The club is undertaking a fundraising drive to attract sponsors to help cover the cost and hopes to receive match funding from the Football Association.
West Auckland Town FC general manager Stuart Alderson said the move had been prompted by the changing structure of non-league football which now sees the top teams from the Northern League obliged to move into the Evo-Stik North.
“If we are wanting to go to the higher leagues, the facilities have to match and they don't,” said Mr Alderson.
“The clubhouse is dropping to bits. It’s done its time. We got it 20 years ago from Stockton. It came in parts and we put it up ourselves. We have known it has been in a bad shape for some time. Now we have got to take action.
“If we were to get promotion we have got to have facilities up to that standard and they are not.”
Mr Alderson was due to meet FA officials last week for discussions about the club’s proposals.
“Hopefully the FA will go along with us. Match funding of up to about £70,000 may be available,” he said.
“We have not got that much time to do it and we need bodies to help us as well.
“CA Group will knock it down, Richard Wade will do the electrics and we have got help with the plumbing. People are coming to help us with it. If we do it right, it will look really well,” he said.
In addition to the clubhouse and ancillary buildings, further improvements are planned to the playing area.
“Gary (Forrest, team manager) wants to move up the system. He wants new goalposts, dug-outs and work on the playing surface,” he said.
Anyone interested in helping with the project or who would like to know more can contact the club via www.west aucklandtownfc.co.uk.
