He is used to gearing up players to give their all on the playing field now a former Norwich City boss paid tribute to a community's 'fantastic' sporting fundraising efforts.

Nigel Worthington, who was manager of Norwich City Football Club for nearly six years, officially opened Holt Playing Field Association's upgraded pavilion on Saturday .

The refurbished and extended pavilion at Holt Sports and Social Club in Woodfield Road, Norfolk, has taken five years to come to fruition after hard fundraising work by members of the association and local community to raise the total £300,000 needed.

The previous pavilion, which is used by numerous organisations including Holt Football Club, football youth teams and Holt Cricket and Bowls clubs, was too small. The new development includes two changing rooms, an officials' changing room, a large kitchen, and storage space and spectator toilet facilities.

Mr Worthington, who is ambassador for Fakenham Town Football Club, said: 'It is fantastic to see a local club really achieving something spectacular not only for the club themselves but for the local community as well.'

Part of the funding came from the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund, helping with new or refurbished grassroots football facilities, who gave a £99,983 grant.

The development also received £50,000 from the Premier League, through the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF),

Other funding has come from Sport England's Inspired Facilities Fund, the Environment Protection Agency and North Norfolk District Council as well as the local community.

Paul Sanders, chairman of Holt Playing Field Association, said; 'We have two main aims to promote sport in Holt and the surrounding areas and to raise enough money with the facilities to pay for things such as getting the grass cut each year'

He said the improved facilities would help them achieve both aims and paid tribute to the work of association secretary Glynis Williamson for obtaining the grants and funding.

Do you know of a north Norfolk sports facility going from strength to strength? Email tracey.gray@archant.co.uk