Brinscall Village Junior Football Club was only founded 13 years ago and is based at Brinscall & Withnell Athletic and Recreational Association , but already attracts up to 180 youngsters to its training sessions.

In March 2009, officials are planning to build a new facility next to St John's School in Brinscall, which club chairman Kevin Kealey says will take them to the next level.

The total cost of the work is £85,000, part of which is being paid for by a £50,000 grant from the Football Foundation, the UK's largest sports charity, as part of a plan to invest in grassroots sports.

Chorley Council also awarded the club £4,350 to improve a pitch on School Lane and will lease the site to the club for a 20-year term for a peppercorn rent.

The development comes on the back of being given the prestigious FA Charter Standard Development Club award in the summer.

Mr Kealey said: "Getting the FA Charter Standard Award is very important because it adds to the club's credibility and makes it a more appropriate learning environment for the children. It's the result of a lot of hard work and is an endorsement of what we're trying to achieve for the children and local area. The football club is an excellent way to channel the enthusiasm of local youngsters and give them something constructive to do.

"Since we launched we've got bigger and bigger. We did it because we wanted to give local children a chance to play football.

"We now have up to 180 boys aged between five and 16 registered, most of whom come from Brinscall and sounding villages.

"We're excited about the future and we're looking at developing spring and summer coaching schools, as well as developing a girls' coaching group.

"I'm very grateful for all the help and support we've had from our dedicated coaches and parents, including the support from local businessman John Hilton who owns Papa Luigi's, Euxton."

Depending on their age, the boys either play in the Mid Lancashire Colts League or the Central Lancashire Junior Football League.

Work on the new pitch next to St John's School is scheduled to start next March when the weather improves.

The youngsters use Brinscall Sports Club and have access to another pitch in Abbey Village.