Beccles Town Football Club is just £20,000 away from securing the funding needed for an ambitious new facility which will provide a safe place for children to play all year round.

In May last year the club unveiled plans to build a full-sized 3G pitch at The Nest, just off Common Lane South.

An outpouring of community support, grants and the backing of local businesses grants mean the club is tantalizingly close to raising the £750,000 needed to make the project a reality.

Chairman David Leech praised the town for getting behind the plans and branded the support “unreal”.

He said: “This is a massive project but one the town will benefit from for years to come.”

The aim is to create an all-weather pitch to maximise the amount of time youngsters can play football, as well as being available for community use.

By replacing natural grass with synthetic fibres, 3G pitches reduce the risk of pitches becoming waterlogged and athletes slipping and injuring themselves.

Mr Leech said: “We have 34 teams in total – from adult teams right down to under-7s.

“So far this season we have lost about eight to 10 weeks of games where we have been unable to play because of the rain.

“We want to provide a safe place for kids to go and train rather than being forced to sit indoors.

“Beccles in general doesn’t have somewhere to play if it rains.”

The chairman explained the facility will solve this issue and help the whole town.

He said: “One thing I’ve learnt during my time at the club is nothing is done just for the football club.

“It is all done for the community and for the town as well.

“Having lived in the town all my life it is so nice to see.

“Our vice chairman Mark Jeremy and treasurer Paul Barford have been so determined and if we can make it happen will never get enough credit for their hard work.”

The club hope to begin the project, which will take 12 weeks to complete, in May so the pitch will be ready for the new season.

To learn more about the project or pledge money to the club visit: www.becclestownfc.org.uk/content.php?pg=gct&pd=1051

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