MAJOR improvements will be made at a Bolton sports complex following a large cash injection from a national organisation.

Astley Bridge Juniors FC are celebrating a massive payout from the Football Foundation.

The UK's largest sporting charity has awarded £94,674 to the club to fund ground and pitch improvements at their home ground at Stapleton Avenue.

The three pitches at the ground will be completely refurbished and the collapsed drains replaced with a modern system.

In addition the car park and approach road will be completely resurfaced allowing easy access.

With these improvements it is hoped that boys and girls teams will soon be established with junior and mini soccer coaching sessions offered to local youngsters.

The Football Foundation has a £60m annual budget, dedicated to revitalising the grass roots of the game, constructing modern football facilities, developing football as a force for social cohesion and as a vehicle for education in communities throughout the country.

The foundation's head of grass roots development Geoff Webb said: "This award is the latest in our funding revolution bringing grass roots football into the 21st century. The Football Foundation is determined to bring a new generation of football facilities to parks and schools throughout the country and this award will offer massive benefits to the community of Astley Bridge. This award is a tribute to the dedication and hard work of all

those involved with the club."

Astley Bridge Junior FC press officer Darryl Mellett, said: "I would like to pay tribute to chairman David Callery, and vice chairman Bernard Toland on behalf of the rest of the committee for all the hard work they have done to make this bid possible".

MAJOR improvements will be made at a Bolton sports complex following a large cash injection from a national organisation.

Astley Bridge Juniors FC are celebrating a massive payout from the Football Foundation.

The UK's largest sporting charity has awarded £94,674 to the club to fund ground and pitch improvements at their home ground at Stapleton Avenue.

The three pitches at the ground will be completely refurbished and the collapsed drains replaced with a modern system.

In addition the car park and approach road will be completely resurfaced allowing easy access.

With these improvements it is hoped that boys and girls teams will soon be established with junior and mini soccer coaching sessions offered to local youngsters.

The Football Foundation has a £60m annual budget, dedicated to revitalising the grass roots of the game, constructing modern football facilities, developing football as a force for social cohesion and as a vehicle for education in communities throughout the country.

The foundation's head of grass roots development Geoff Webb said: "This award is the latest in our funding revolution bringing grass roots football into the 21st century. The Football Foundation is determined to bring a new generation of football facilities to parks and schools throughout the country and this award will offer massive benefits to the community of Astley Bridge. This award is a tribute to the dedication and hard work of all

those involved with the club."

Astley Bridge Junior FC press officer Darryl Mellett, said: "I would like to pay tribute to chairman David Callery, and vice chairman Bernard Toland on behalf of the rest of the committee for all the hard work they have done to make this bid possible".