ILKLEY Town ambitious plans to install an artificial pitch have received a massive boost with confirmation of a £300,000 grant from the Football Foundation.

It covers half of the cost of the 3G surface which the West Yorkshire League Premier Division club is on track to install at their Ben Rhydding base this summer.

The grant was awarded after three years of discussion and is a huge boost.

Club chairman Richard Giles said: “A 3G pitch will be a game changer for football in Ilkley.

"There is a lot still to do, but the grant funding is a massive hurdle we have just cleared. It’s now full steam ahead as we aim to have the pitch in place for the start of next season.”

All teams run by the club have also been asked to raise an extra £500 each for the fundraising effort, so construction can get under way.

Giles said: “We will put on a “football-a-thon” on the new 3G pitch, the first weekend it is open. This will be a sponsored event and all teams will be invited to take part and raise their £500 at this event.”

The club have also announced that to help with the running of the new facility, they will look to recruit two new members of staff.

Further details on this will be released in the coming weeks. For more details on bookings for the new facility or the roles that will be available contact Richard Giles at r.x.giles@talk21.com