£65,000 to end drain on club’s resources

The money, which includes almost £50,000 from the National Lottery, will be used to rectify a chronic, on-going problem with the drainage of the club’s HQ.

In recent years the archaic drains, some of which have not been updated for 70 years, have proved a blight on the club.

The ground has endured serious waterlogging, while undulations have made fielding difficult.

Captain Mat Clark led the side to the Northern Premier League title two seasons ago, though their success was almost scuppered by a ground which was unplayable at times.

Delighted Fleetwood secretary Paul Sherlock said: “Though some of the drains have been replaced, we were at a stage where major repair work was needed.

“In 2012 we had at least six fixtures postponed and the last four matches were all played away from home.

“We also had to cancel schools matches and junior practice for the latter part of the season.”

The scale of the project means the whole Broadwaters outfield will have to be re-seeded.

No Northern League matches will be played at the venue after August 15, 2014, when the work gets under way. The league has already agreed to this.

The National Lottery funding amounts to £49,250 and the rest of the money will come from the Russell Haldane Trust and the club.

The levelling and draining of Broadwaters is one of 97 sports projects across England to receive a share of £5.5m of National Lottery funding.