A SERIES of improvements to the home of Broadwell Amateurs Football Club have been officially unveiled.

The investment at The Hawthorns ground provides more 40 additional car parking spaces for supporters and players and two dedicated disabled parking spaces.

The club has also installed hard standing around the football pitch, providing a dry, well-maintained area to stand while watching matches.

The improvements, funded by a £18,555 grant from the Premier League through the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF), will resolve a long-standing problem where visitors to the ground have had to park on the main road.

New car parking and hard standing around the pitch was a long-time ambition of two former club members who have passed away.

Melvin Hale and Ken Turner were both former players, committee members, secretaries and chairmen.

Without their dedication to the football club over several years the current committee would not be embarking on such projects.

The club has sides in the Gloucestershire County League, the Northern Senior League and the North Gloucestershire League as well as a number of youth teams and a Sunday veterans side.

Colin O’Dell, President of Broadwell Amateurs FC said: “The FSIF is not only helping to create better facilities for our current first team players but cementing the foundations for our future youth players progressing into senior football.”

Peter McCormick, Chairman of the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, said: “I’m delighted that investment from the Premier League has been able to support Broadwell Amateurs FC to carry out an array of works to their home ground. “The improvements made at The Hawthorns will help to enhance the safety and matchday experience for supporters visiting the club.

“The FSIF directs money from the Premier League into improving the standard of lower-league stadia.

“This is helping to develop the provision of football at lower levels of the game and make facilities safer.”