A STATE-of-the-art new football pavilion at Ilminster Town Football Club costing more than half a million pounds has been officially unveiled.

The football club, which received grant funding from the Premier League and FA Facilities Fund, opened the pavilion officially on Friday.

It received a £244,798 grant from the Premier League and FA, and a further £50,000 from the Football Stadia Improvement fund.

The funds allowed the club to improve their facilities. It now comprises of four dual-gender changing rooms, a clubroom, a function room, a kitchen, a new parking area and spectator toilets.

At the event, football fans also got the chance to look through some of the club's old memorabilia. It is now hoped that the pavilion will become a focal point for the local community, with it being the field where budding football stars can train and play.

Darren Manley, chairman of Ilminster Town FC, said: “It was a special day for Ilminster Town FC to finally have a home we can all be proud of.

"I'd like to thank Heather Virgin for officially opening the pavilion and the support she and the Gooch Charitable Trust have given us throughout this project.

"I would like to further thank the Premier League and The FA Facilities Fund for the grant they provided towards our project.

“Their grant has enabled us to provide an excellent facility where we can continue to grow our local grassroots football and give all members of our community the opportunity to play. A big thank you to all that have helped Ilminster Town FC to achieve their dream.”

The club worked in close partnership with the Football Foundation and Somerset FA to establish a five-year Football Development Plan (FDP) that aims to increase its number of affiliated teams by ten.

The FDP will focus on the growth of Mini-Soccer in raising on site participation by 80 per cent.

Paul Thorogood, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said: “I am delighted that a grant from the Premier League and The FA Facilities Fund has enabled Ilminster Town to upgrade its pitches and build this fantastic new multipurpose facility. This development will provide a real boost to sport in the local area."

Peter McCormick, chairman of the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, said: “Ilminster Town FC’s new changing rooms mean the club can continue playing at their current level, something that would not have been possible without the generous funding from the Premier League through the FSIF.

"The club have a comfortable and safe four-team changing room pavilion for members to prepare for matches and training sessions. I look forward to seeing Ilminster Town FC go from strength to strength as a result of this funding.”