A NEW community and sports club in Sherburn has been officially opened by Ryedale MP Anne McIntosh.

The facility, which will provide a welcome boost to grassroots sport in the area, was funded by a £94,725 grant from the Premier League and the FA Facilities Fund.

Sherburn Community and Sports Club comprises state-of-the-art team and officials’ changing facilities, plus a spacious community area.

Local football clubs Pheonix JFC, Pickering JFC and Scarborough Ladies FC are set to benefit from the new facilities along with members of the wider community with the wide range of sports and social activities the site is now able to cater for.

Sherburn Playing Field Association worked in partnership with the East Riding FA to secure the grant from one of the country’s largest sports charities.

Barry Dobson, Sherburn Community and Sports Club Project Manager, said: "It has been a long three years since the proposal to build a new sports club.

"Without the help of our funders – the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund, Sport England, Yorventure, Kingspan, Ryedale District Council and the late Mr Aubrey Church, of Sherburn – the construction of this project would not have gone ahead. Now complete, it is one of the best facilities in the region."

He added: “I am looking forward to the next stage of the development where we see a wide range of activities made available, both sporting and social, to all the residents of Sherburn and the surrounding area."

Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “This outstanding sports club is an example of the positive impact that this funding is having on our grassroots game. First-class facilities like this are crucial to creating more opportunities for local people to enjoy regular sport.

“Aided by the East Riding FA, Sherburn Playing Field Association deserves huge credit for taking a vision and turning it into a reality, using this funding provided by the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund.

He added: "Sport has the power to make a positive impact on the health of communities and this wonderful new facility will improve the sporting experience of local people and encourage them to be more active.”

Offically opening Sherburn and Community Sports Club, Miss McIntosh said: "I warmly congratulate the Sherburn Playing Fields Association for all their hard work and efforts in facilitating the clubhouse. Their fund raising and organisation has been exemplary.”

“The new facility will be a great asset to the village and local community.”