A FOOTBALL club has taken a step closer to securing its goal after it was handed a cash grant.

Hindley Junior Football Club received £425,000 from The Football Foundation for new pitches, changing rooms and training equipment.

Along with a Sport England grant of £60,000 and £100,000 raised by the club, the grant will give them the money to build a state-of-the-art ground at their Atherton Road home.

A cheque was handed to the club at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday where they had teams playing in the Bolton and Bury League Managers Cup Final.

The club -- where 700 boys, girls and adults play -- has been seeking funding since 1999.

Club Secretary Tony Harrison said: "We'll end up with four 11-a-side pitches, four junior pitches, changing rooms and a clubhouse.

"It will mean that we are able to offer football to more and people in the community and open the game up to everyone.

"It's not just about the success of a few players but giving a chance for the community to get involved in something worthwhile."

After presenting the cheque, Leigh MP Andy Burnham said: "I had a role in creating The Football Foundation and it's a proud day for me to see some of that money come all the way back to Hindley."