WORK is underway to upgrade a football club’s ground after they secured more than £40,000 in funding.

Over the last 18 months Seneley and Garswood Juniors FC has been in negotiations with St Helens Council’s Sports Development Section and Liverpool County FA over a grant to renovate their recreation ground.

The Football Foundation agreed to fund the project to the tune of £42,360 which was around 89 per cent of the total. The remaining £5,000 will be funded by the club. The money will help build a new pitch with improved drainage.

Tom Nugent club secretary said: “This is a tremendous step forward for both the Club and the community in general as it will not only provide an opportunity to utilise this facility to its full potential and ease the burden on nearby Birch Grove Playing Fields but it will also help with the continued expansion and growth of the Club.

“The application process to secure the funding for this project was a real team effort which included representations from Seneley and Garswood Juniors FC, St Helens Council and Liverpool County Football Association.”

The project will be jointly managed by the football club and the council.