Image demonstrating Junior football club has a home at last

Junior football club has a home at last

Ellington Juniors are celebrating having their own clubhouse and pitches for the first time since the club was formed in 1988.
 
The club has spent the last few years raising almost half a million pounds of funding and approached Northumberland County Council to help them meet their £650,000 target.  Recognising how hard the club had worked and the club's excellent reputation the Council supported the request with the scheme getting underway last year.
 
Council leader Peter Jackson who opened the new clubhouse said: “I was already aware of the fantastic fundraising achievements of Ellington Juniors when I became Council Leader and I am delighted that our contribution has allowed the development to go ahead. 
 
"I have been very impressed with the efforts of those running the club and this should be a proud moment for all that have played a part.”
 
Cabinet Member for Culture, Arts, Leisure and Tourism Councillor Cath Homer, said: "Ellington Juniors is a tremendous example of what can be delivered with passion and dedication.
 
"It is incredible that the club has managed for more than 30 years without a home and I am so pleased that its budding football stars now have the facilities that they fully deserve.”
 
Club Chair Ray Dunn added: “This a huge step forward for the club and for the village which has never had investment like this before.
 
"We have 16 teams and more than 150 players from six years old to young adults. Every single player will benefit as will the coaches who all give up their own time to run the teams.
 
"With our new clubhouse and pitches we are set for a great future and I would like to thank the Council who provided the largest contribution and also all of the other funders."
 
Those funders include Haworth Estates, the Football Foundation, Sport England and CELL Big Local.   The club is continuing to source funding for a 3g floodlit training pitch that would also be used by the younger players for matches.
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