A NEW fan zone is to be built at Accrington Stanley.

The club hopes it will strengthen Stanley’s ties with the community and make home games a proper day out for the whole family.

The project is being run by the official Accrington Stanley Supporters Club and is already off to a flier, with a £22,400 head start.

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Supporters’ club chairman Nick Westwell said: “Since last March we have been raising money to refurbish the changing rooms at the Wham Stadium and we were getting close to our £25,000 target.

“But everything changed for the better when the club’s new owner Andy Holt came on board in October, wiping out £1.2 million in debt and bringing a significant cash injection to the club.

“Andy has plans for a more comprehensive redevelopment of the ground, including the changing rooms. I met him and said we had this £22,400 already raised but he said he would rather see money raised by the fans spent on something that would bring a tangible improvement for them.”

Mr Holt said: “The fans and the supporters’ club have done a magnificent job raising this money, so I am keen they feel the benefit of it.

“When the appeal started, the changing rooms were the priority. But things have moved on and they need to be part of a much more comprehensive plan for the club, which is now taking shape.

“Accrington Stanley has always been a community club and the fan-zone project will build on that. It will engage the fans and help reinvigorate the club and its role in the community.”

Mr Westwell said the fundraising target for the fan zone is £40,000 by June 1. The fan zone would be a permanent structure on Stanley’s Livingstone Road ground, and fans could gather there two hours before home games and for an hour afterwards. He said the facility would be available to the wider community as an events venue.

To get involved, call Mr Westwell on 07730 373433 or email n.westwell@sky.com.