RESIDENTS have been urged to back grassroots football in Rishton by voting for funding worth £25,000.

Bosses at Rishton Football Club have applied for vital funding from the Aviva Community Fund that will allow youngsters in the town to train and compete nearer home once again.

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Norden Playing Fields, built on a former tip, scrapyard and railway line to Great Harwood, was converted into two football pitches in 1989, although they have been ‘unplayable’ in recent years.

A club spokesman said: “We estimate that we either cancel and postpone or play on another pitch 30 per cent of the time, and rarely train on the pitch at all.

“We want to build on our 30 years of success and continue to simply play football on good facilities.”

In its latest budget documents, the Hyndburn Council agreed to give £75,000 to complement £205,000 of external funding to ‘develop’ the pitches, used by Rishton United Football Club.

And now they need people’s help in securing another £25,000, which the club said would help it build on their 30 years of success.

United chairman Chic Kelly said the club has been forced outside the town for the last two seasons because the playing fields were not fit to play on.

He said: “They are not fit for purpose. If we get heavy rain for two or three days, there will be quite a few puddles.”

The club, which plans to lease the land from the council, said work will include digging up the pitches, improving drainage, and levelling them. Pitches for small-sided games will be created too.

Mr Kelly said: “We have spent around two years trying to raise the funds. We estimate it will cost around £250,000 to do it.”

Mr Kelly said £50,000 has already been secured from Sport England, money is being sought from the Lancashire Football Association, and the club is searching for a further £75,000 .

Ken Moss, town councillor and parks and leisure boss, said the club’s plans also include fencing and changing rooms.

He said: “This has been on the back-burner for years. Rishton United have put the business plan together and are trying to pull the funding together. We are supportive of it but we cannot afford to fund it all.”

To vote, visit www.community-fund.aviva.co.uk/voting/project/view/1569