ILMINSTER Football Club has secured all the funding it needs to build its new sports facility and has called on the town to back its ambitious project.

The club has permission to build a new pavilion on Brittens Field and, having embarked on a mammoth fundraising effort, it is ready for the next stage.

Club officials have released a statement to clarify their plans as they attempt to “generate a strong, active community.”

A club spokesman said: “We believe that this facility will allow others to provide opportunities to promote healthy living irrespective of age or ability.

“We decided to include a com - munity room in the building because, according to a survey in 2008, there is a need.

“We have spent months meeting with a variety of experts from national and regional organisations to ensure that we deliver a project that is achievable and sustain - able.

“One of our greatest challenges has been getting grant funding.

However, we have now reached a point where all the funding required is in place and we can now take the project forward to the next phase.

“The Recreation Ground Review group has allowed us to work closely with Ilminster Town Council on this project. An agreement between the football club and the town council gives ownership of the new building to the council with the proviso that the building is leased back to the football club on a 25-year lease, to enable the town council to claim back the VAT.”

The club also moved to address some concerns in the town about the future club management.

“Our football club has been running since 1920 using facilities that fall short of the standards expected of today’s Football Association,” the spokesman continued.

“We have produced a five-year plan illustrating how we will move forward, including an in-depth in - come and expenditure report that sits alongside our business plan.

All of these documents have been seen and approved by the Football Association, Sport England, Foot - ball Foundation and South Somerset District Council.

“We have also set up a private, limited by guarantee, no share capital company called Ilminster Sports Club Limited. This arrangement will ensure that all excess profits are put back into the running and maintenance of the football club and pavilion.

“If our project does not move into the next phase Ilminster will lose £112,446 of Section 106 money generated by the new housing.

“We have a project costing £588,000 and the cost to the taxpayers of Ilminster is £5,000. This is a great achievement and will give Ilminster a valuable asset.

“We’re now looking for vocal support from all ages in Ilminster to ensure that the town gets a quality building. So come on folks, from now on let’s hear it for The Gooch Pavilion dedicated to a Archie Gooch who did so much for our town.”

The club will be giving regular updates as the project moves forward.