A project to build a new 3G floodlit pitch in Beccles has been announced today.
Beccles Town Football Club unveiled the news at their youth presentation day down at The Nest, with hopes the new facility could be up and running by next summer.
The pitch is expected to cost between £600,000 and £660,000, and will be built at their base off Common Lane South.
David Leech, youth section chairman, said the club is hopeful of a significant contribution from the FA, and said that with savings from the club's fund they would need to raise a further £200,000 to cover the cost.
He said: 'There's nothing worse than on a Sunday morning telling the kids their game has had to be called off because of flooding or this and that, but with this new pitch that won't be a problem.
'It will help us maximise the amount of time the kids can play and I think it will make them feel special when they are playing.
'And it won't just be used for football. It will be open to the public for community use and to schools and clubs, so it is something for everyone.
'It is something members have wanted for years, but we have only been talking to the FA about it for the past four or five months.
'We are hoping and praying that this time next year is when we will be putting a spade in the ground, and it will all be ready by August for the start of the next season.
'We need to raise in the region of £200,000, which we are confident we can do, through fundraising, sponsorship, donations from businesses and other grants.'
The club is hoping to have the funding in place by the end of year, and has already presented the plans to Beccles town councillors.
Speaking at the event, deputy mayor Elfrede-Brambley Crawshaw, who was joined by mayor Richard Stubbings, said: 'Beccles Town Council and myself as a county councillor will do everything we can to support this initiative and I'm sure it will be a huge success.'
The day was also attended by Matt Bartle, regional manager for the FA, who said: 'It is going to be a very interesting time, there's a few integral meetings happening this week with the design of the proposed facility which is going to be out there, so any help, any support, anything you can really offer in terms of supporting the committee would be very much appreciated.
'From an FA point of view we will do everything we possibly can so that in 12 months time there is a full size third generation pitch out there that hopefully as many of these young people that are here today can use but also the wider community as well.'
Ahead of the announcement, youth players from the Little Stingers up to the under 16s were presented with awards, and Beccles Town's new ladies' team also had their debut, playing a friendly game against the under 15 girls.
•What do you think of the project? Email bbj.letters@archant.co.uk
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