STONEHOUSE Town Football Club (STFC) is ready to step up into the Gloucestershire County Football League after work was completed on new changing facilities.

The changing rooms at the Pavilion next to STFC’s ground in Oldends Lane, Stonehouse, have been extended and improved to include a new area for referees and match officials, plus additional toilets for the public and players.

Gloucestershire County FA officials have approved the new facilities, which cost £120,000, and their authorisation means that STFC will be able to progress into the county league next season if they win promotion.

The new changing rooms were officially opened at a ceremony last Saturday, March 26, with STFC president Jim Blythe cutting the ribbon.

Also present were club secretary Mike Smith, club treasurer and first team goalkeeper Will Pedrick, representatives from Stonehouse Town FC and Stonehouse Town Youth FC, and members of Stonehouse Town Council and Stroud District Council.

Club president Jim Blythe said the club was delighted with the new changing rooms.

He said: “With these facilities, STFC will be able to move back up the leagues to where they belong.

“All this couldn’t have happened without the hard work and dedication of Mike Smith and Will Pedrick.”

Club treasurer Will Pedrick said the club was grateful to members of Stonehouse Town Council for their support.

Funding for the extension came through S106 contributions from Taylor Wimpey and Barrett Homes with a top-up from Stonehouse Town Council.

The building work was carried out by Turnkey Construction built the new changing facilities.

The changing rooms and meeting room are available for hire to the public for participation in sport on the playing field, meetings or children’s parties. They are part of the first phase of improvements planned for community facilities in Oldends Lane.