HUNDREDS of footballers are set to benefit with new pitches, a clubhouse and changing facilities all planned for one club.

Horwich St Mary’s FC has 34 teams which play in five leagues, but the changing rooms are currently a steel container.

Now the club, which has backing from the Football Association, is applying for planning permission to expand the facilities at Scholes Bank.

The club, which was formed in 1978, is in talks with United Utilities to lease adjacent land to provide extra pitches and parking for 57 cars.

At present there are no parking facilities on site, with spectators and players parking in nearby streets.

Some of the land crosses the border with Lancashire and planning permission for the car park will be decided by Lancashire County Council.

The clubroom will host education courses for youth and football development, as well as providing a venue for fundraising events.

The proposal will be part funded by the FA.

The application was supported by Horwich Town Council, provided the clubhouse is moved further away from nearby houses.

Cllr Kieran McGeehan said: “The teams already use the site and it is not suitable at the moment. These facilities are long overdue.

“I was very much in favour of this as it is about time that there is support for young people doing something positive.”