EVER fancied a football ground of your own? In a bid to raise cash to fund facilities for the footballing stars of the future, Grouville FC are offering Islanders their very own plot on their pitch.

Earlier this year the club bought land next to their home ground at Le Boulivot, but they have not got the money to develop it. Nearly £40,000 is needed to develop a training ground for their younger players, which will open up the game to more minis, under-12s, under-14s and junior girls. The club hope that their Sponsor a Perch scheme will help to raise at least £18,000 by offering Islanders a perch of land – one-fortieth of a vergée – for £100. In return, sponsors will get free advertising space at Le Boulivot and free club membership. It is hoped that additional funding will be secured with an application to the Football Foundation for grant aid, which is being supported by the JFA, the FA, and Education, Sport and Culture. Club vice-president and honorary secretary Bob Richardson said: ‘Securing the land is the first step in our development plan. Now we need the community to support us so that we can develop the land and create the facilities to meet the demand for junior boys and female football.’ Grouville FC is one of the largest clubs in the Island, with ten football teams and schemes for schoolchildren. It currently holds FA Charter Standard Club status, but is hoping as part of the new development to achieve its FA Charter Standard Community Club status, which is the pinnacle of the FA’s club development programme.