LETCHWORTH Garden City Eagles are now flying thanks to new football facilities. The young Eagles opened the doors of their new changing room facilities at Pixmore playing fields, Baldock Road, for the first time last month. The club were hosting a girls

LETCHWORTH Garden City Eagles are now flying thanks to new football facilities.

The young Eagles opened the doors of their new changing room facilities at Pixmore playing fields, Baldock Road, for the first time last month.

The club were hosting a girls' soccer festival promoted and organised by the Herts FA.

Eagles have received funding of more than £345,000 from the Football Foundation. Other local organisations, in particular the Letchworth GC Heritage Foundation and North Herts District Council, also provided grants towards it.

The total bill for the project was £445,000 with the club itself raising more than £25,000 towards the cost.

It was constructed by Conamar Building Services of Stevenage.

It has four changing rooms, each with its own showers and toilet, a clubroom and well-equipped kitchen so refreshments can be served on matchdays.

The new facilities and adjoining playing fields will be available for community use and private lettings.

An official opening of the new pavilion will take place around Easter.

Eagles chairman Tony Eden said: "They are wonderful facilities and it's obviously a big boost to the club.

"It really has been a wonderful project and we've come a long way since the club was formed way back in 1979."

The Football Foundation is dedicated to revitalising the grassroots of the game.

Paul Thorogood, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said: "I am delighted that the new changing facilities are now complete.

"This will support the development of Letchworth Garden City Eagles and also allow more youngsters in the Herts area to play our national game.

"I want to acknowledge the role of the Herts FA in progressing this application.

"I also want to encourage other clubs and schools across the region to apply to the Football Foundation for funding."

More information is on their website which is www.footballfoundation.org.uk

Eagles have more than 400 players aged between six and 17, and teams play in the Royston Crow Youth League, the Briggs Sports Mid Herts Rural Minors League and the Herts Girls League.

More can be found on the Eagles website www.letchwortheagles.org.uk