A FOOTBALL club has taken a step closer to achieving its goal after it secured a cash grant.

Hindley Junior Football Club received £425,830 from The Football Foundation for new pitches, changing rooms and training equipment.

Along with a Sport England grant of £60,000 and £100,000 raised by the club, the grant will give them the money to build a state-of-the-art ground at their Atherton Road home.

A cheque was handed to the club at the Reebok Stadium where the club had teams playing in the Bolton and Bury League Managers Cup Final.

The club - where 700 boys, girls and adults play - has been seeking funding since 1999. Club Secretary Tony Harrison said: "We will end up with four 11-a-side pitches, four junior pitches, changing rooms and a clubhouse.

"It will mean that we are able to offer football to more and people in the community and open the game up to everyone.

"It is not just about the success of a few players but giving a chance for the community to get involved in something worthwhile."

Leigh MP Andy Burnham said: "I had a role in creating The Football Foundation and it is a proud day for me to see some of that money come all the way back to Hindley."