Brighter future set for Racing Club

The Warwick club (RCFC) was this month granted £110,000 in matched funding to invest in its buildings, ground and facilities for use across the town.

The funds were made possible thanks to investment from landowners, Warwick District Council last year.

The council agreed to dig into its reserves for the sum to attract the national funding and help the club make necessary changes to improve its stadium and grounds.

And celebrating the announcement, bosses at the St Mary’s Lands club said it means big changes ahead.

A statement from RCFC chairman Gary Vella said the funding news will put them in a “position of strength” to benefit the whole community.

He said: “A lot of hard work has been put in over the past several months to reach this fantastic point.

“The club needed to produce a viable business plan and show that the management was in good hands.

“We are pleased to say the hard work has paid off and we can begin to rejuvenate the site for football and the community alike.

“This is at last an opportunity to create new community football facilities to enhance the development of football in the area. This project will help generate wider community benefit through football and non-sports activities.”

The overall rejuvenation project could cost up to £400,000 and will cover three phases - replacing changing room buildings, stadium upgrades, and improvements to the club’s offices.

This grant will help complete the first phase of work, with more funding ideas and plans being made in partnership with the district council.

Warwick District Council put in a £110,000 lump sum to attract matched funding for the club. The council, which owns and leases the land, financed the spend via its contingency and emergency budgets.