A FOOTBALL club has drawn up ambitious plans to help increase junior participation to get more youngsters playing the sport.

Officials from Earlestown Athletic met with council representatives at its Harrison Way base, where the club is hoping to build new pitches.

Earlestown will submit proposals in the near future for three new sports fields and plans have also been drawn up for a car park, toilets and refreshments zone. 

The club was formed in 1997 and is a progressive member of the Warrington Junior League. 
Club chairman Alan Syddall expects the plans will lead to a growth in playing numbers, with more pupils signing up after inter-school competitions  are hosted there. 

“I hope that this leads to increased participation and we’d expect an increase in number of members,” he said.

“The plans are flexible. At the moment we have plans for three pitches but it could end up  being anything between three and six. There will be a proper car park put down which will accommodate 40 cars.

“The club would like to thank St Helens Council’s Sports Development Team for their support in bringing our ambitions together.

“We are also indebted to Cory Environmental Trust, Sport England, The Lancashire FA and the Football Foundation for their financial support to ensure we have the funds in place to carry out the extensive work that is needed to provide the new facilities offered by Earlestown Athletic JFC .”

It is hoped that work on the development would begin in the spring, with the pitches ready to be used for the September 2016 season.

Speaking about the development, St Helens Council leader, Barrie Grunewald said: “The club are to be applauded for their ambition and drive.

"I know they have worked hard over a long period of time to secure the funding.