Letchworth Garden City Eagles’ new bar and lounge facility has opened after a £125,000 investment into the football club – and former Eagles player Darren Sarll was on hand to cut the ribbon.

The Comet: Stevenage FC boss Darren Sarll, centre, with Letchworth Garden City Eagles players, the club chairman Tony Eden, and Karly Williams of Barratt Homes.Stevenage FC boss Darren Sarll, centre, with Letchworth Garden City Eagles players, the club chairman Tony Eden, and Karly Williams of Barratt Homes. (Image: Archant)

Darren, who nowadays manages Football League side Stevenage, played for the Eagles as a boy while his dad Brian was a coach there.

And his renewed involvement with the club is part of a larger drive to strengthen its role in the community – that’s according to Eagles chairman Tony Eden.

“It was great to have a local man opening this,” said Tony.

“We’ve got these wonderful facilities, we’ve got great changing rooms, and now we’ve got a lounge to match.

The Comet: Stevenage FC boss Darren Sarll, centre, with Letchworth Garden City Eagles players, the club chairman Tony Eden, and Karly Williams of Barratt Homes.Stevenage FC boss Darren Sarll, centre, with Letchworth Garden City Eagles players, the club chairman Tony Eden, and Karly Williams of Barratt Homes. (Image: Archant)

“At a senior level many clubs will have a bar and lounge, but we never have done because we started as a junior club. Now we’re catching up.

“It’ll give the players, parents and supporters somewhere to relax, and hopefully help us attract better youth coaches and players.

“This is all about bringing things back to the community, and Darren’s a part of that.”

Guests included representatives from the Herts FA, Barratt Homes and the Heritage Foundation, as well as county councillors. The project was funded mostly by the Football Foundation and the Football Stadia Improvement Fund.