LOSTOCK Gralam FC officials and supporters have grounds for huge celebration after a £241,400 windfall to complete their long-awaited development project.

The amateur club, who play their football behind the Slow and Easy pub on Manchester Road, will use the funds to build new facilities for senior and junior teams.

The six-figure sum was awarded by the Football Foundation and will be added to the £155,000 already allocated from Vale Royal Brough Council’s rural delivery fund.

The financial boost for Lostock – nicknamed the Grey Lambs – represents six years of hard work by the club’s committee.

Chairman Derek Washburn said: “I’ve been involved in this club for over 40 years now, and can’t put into words how much this means to me and to the people of Lostock.

“Once this is complete, we will have facilities to match any amateur club in Cheshire and fully intend to use this opportunity to develop young, local players to put the club at the top of the amateur tree once again.”

The development plans include levelling the site, building a new clubhouse and changing rooms, drainage and an additional mini football pitch for juniors.

Simon Gerrard, development manager for the Cheshire FA, said: “This project will see the upgrade of a traditional community club into a hub for grass roots development.”

The club will meet project managers from Groundwork next Wednesday to sign off tenders documents, with a view to starting work early in 2009.