DEWSBURY RANGERS are now fully up and running in their new clubhouse after seven years of hard work.

The Huddersfield RCD Junior League side needed to organise a massive fund-raising exercise to build a new clubhouse and changing rooms.

The final part of the jig-saw was put in place when the Football Foundation handed over a cheque for £551,781 to add to further grants of £150,000 from the Football Association, £100,000 from Harron Homes, £68,000 from the Dewsbury Area Planning Committee and £15,000 from club fundraising.

All grants and fundraising have gone towards creating of a state-of-the-art clubhouse on Wakefield Road at Earlsheaton which holds six changing rooms, two referee changing rooms, toilets, a first aid room and a cafe area to serve the hundreds of playing members and their families.

The facility complements the club’s 3G winter training facility at St John Fisher School, giving players some of the best football facilities in the area.

Club secretary Graham Burton said: “This is a fantastic facility for the club, its members and the local community.

“We couldn’t have made this possible without the continued support of the Football Foundation, Councillor Paul Kane and Kirklees MC, along with the Dewsbury Area Committee and finally all the support from the Dewsbury Rangers committee members, who have worked tirelessly over several years to make this project happen.”

The clubhouse was officially opened by Leeds United’s Leigh Bromby, along with Clr Kane and Olympic Torch bearer Gaynor Goalby.

RCD League secretary Eric Kershaw said: “Lepton Highlanders, Meltham, Yorkshire Lions, Battyeford, Cumberworth, Kirkburton and others have benefited from large Football Foundation grants.

“The Football Association are looking for improvements in the grassroots game and there is little doubt that the provision of decent facilities is the first step to helping players and coaches to enjoy the game and improve their skills”