PROGRESSIVE Drakes Huddersfield League club Shelley have received a massive boost as they bid to improve their ground facilities.

The Westerley Lane side, who finished runners-up to League champions Honley this summer, have been awarded a £20,000 grant from Kirkburton Area Committee towards replacing their current clubhouse.

And with further smaller contributions coming in from other grant schemes, Shelley now have around £32,000 in place towards their total cost of a new building, estimated to cost around the £40,000 mark.

The plan is to build a new clubhouse on the site of the current changing rooms, with the old bar area being re-fitted to use as new changing facilities as part of their 'new-build' project.

Club secretary Gary Eastwood said: "The improved facilities will help the club in its continued efforts to involve local young people.

"We hope it will increase their opportunities through cricket which will benefit their health through increased physical activity and divert them from becoming involved in anti-social behaviour."

Following their decision to join the Drakes League in 2001, Shelley have made big strides on the field, illustrated by their superb runners-up spot in last season's Premiership - in only their first season in the top flight.

Brilliant Sri Lankan all-rounder Muthu Pushpakumara has already signed again for next season as they plot more success, to go alongside the Examiner Eights Trophy which they captured last summer.

"We now have 90% of the funding in place," said spokesman and committee man Julian Barden, "and we are expecting the new facility to be ready for the start of next season.

"The clubhouse will be of wooden construction, similar to the one at Cawthorne with decking at the front, and will give us twice the size of our current bar area.

"The existing bar will be made into changing rooms, with a completely new portable building for the tearoom.

"Apart from the concrete base, the clubhouse will be a moveable structure, should it need to be re-positioned later.

"We are looking to make the club a focal point of the community and attract people from the new adjoining estate in Shelley."

A spokesman for Kirkburton Area Committee, who rubber-stamped the grant explained: "The existing clubhouse is now over 30 years old and has come to the end of its useful life.

"The new build will enable people with disabilities improved access to the clubhouse. The design should also be more energy efficient and reduce the utility bills for the cricket club.

"It is hoped the club will continue to expand the membership at both a junior and senior level. In order to achieve this, the club plans to do more work with local schools, both Shelley First and Shelley High."