A NEW 50-seat stand has been opened at Rugby Borough FC by Coventry City legend Steve Ogrizovic.
The new stand at the club’s Kilsby Lane ground creates extra space for spectators and shields them from the weather.
It also means the club, who play in the Leicestershire Senior League Premier division at Step 7, has reached Football Association (FA) ground grading regulations.
The project was funded by a £20,000 grant from the Premier League, delivered through the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, with the rest funded by the club’s charity Rugby Town Sports Trust.
The grant has also helped provide a turnstile and spectator hardstanding along one side of the third generation (3G) artificial grass pitch and will complement the existing facilities, which include 17 grass pitches, one full-size 3G pitch and two smaller 3G pitches.
The site will be used by various community groups including all of Rugby Borough FC’s 70 teams, Warwickshire Schools FA, Girls and Boys School festivals and the club’s main festivals throughout the year. Leisure Leagues also provides six-a-side community football for 23 teams, twice a week.
Former goalkeeper Steve Ogrizovic, who won the FA Cup with Coventry City in 1987, said: “I am delighted to have opened this new stand at Rugby Borough FC.
“The facilities at Kilsby Lane are fantastic and this addition makes it more special. Well done to all who were involved in this project which will keep spectators dry but also allow the club to progress up the non-league pyramid.”
Liam Coulter, a Trustee at Rugby Borough FC, said: “We are delighted to have helped fund these new facilities at Kilsby Lane. It is part of the Trustees’ objectives to keep delivering projects like this at the site within our five-year plan.”
Peter McCormick OBE, Chairman of the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, said: “I am delighted that Rugby Borough FC’s stadium upgrades will have such a positive impact on their fans’ experiences. I’d like to congratulate them on securing the funding from the Premier League, and their hard work in bringing the project to fruition.
“The Football Stadia Improvement Fund works hard to channel the Premier League’s investment into projects like this one, which help to improve the infrastructure of lower-league stadia across the country – benefitting clubs and their fans alike.”
