A MASSIVE cash boost is set to transform Shrivenham Football Club's dated facilities and clubhouse.

The Hellenic League club have been handed £215,652 by The Football Foundation the UK's largest sports charity.

The money will be used to construct a modern changing pavilion, replacing the present dilapidated facility.

Current changing facilities will be demolished and replaced with a new pavilion, housing two changing rooms and two official's changing areas.

The Shrivenham senior team will use the facilities on Saturday afternoons for their Hellenic League matches, while junior teams from the club's youth section will be able to use the changing rooms during the rest of the week.

With their new pavilion the club hope to boost participation rates in the area and are looking to extend their range of mini soccer teams.

Club chairman Ian Richardson was delighted with the funding.

He said: "For too long now the club has struggled with second-rate facilities and since moving up into the Hellenic League some eighteen months ago, the need to upgrade became even more urgent.

"The club has received tremendous support from Shrivenham Parish Council in its quest for funding and there will be considerable benefit to the wider community in a new attractive building, on the existing site, continuing to provide social facilities for all ages. "Although this has taken many hours of hard work by a dedicated committee it has been well worth the effort and the club is extremely grateful for the help and assistance given by The Football Foundation."

Shrivenham are the latest local club to benefit from Football Foundation funding.

Chippenham and Cirencester have already received large grants and chief executive Peter Lee was happy to add Shrivenham to the list.

"Our sincere congratulations go to Shrivenham for the inclusive nature of this project. All footballers deserve the opportunity to play on good quality pitches and to have access to well appointed changing rooms.

"We would call on all other clubs, schools and organisations in the area to contact the Foundation to see how we can help."