Oxenhope Football Club have received an early Christmas present with news they are to receive a £20,000 grant from the Football Foundation to develop their Recreation Ground.

The project to develop the village club’s lower pitch to West Yorkshire League standards and convert the upper pitch for junior football is costing £35,000 in total.

In addition to funding through the Football Foundation, money has also been sourced from Oxenhope Parish Council (£2,000) and Bradford Council (£2,500), with the club themselves contributing £10,500.

The plan is to lengthen and widen the lower pitch and replace the drainage system.

The project-tendering system has already been completed by the Parks and Landscapes Division of Bradford Council, and it is envisaged that work will commence as soon as possible.

That means the first team – who currently play at Marley – starting either next season or the season after back in the village.

The club committee has also negotiated the purchase of a strip of land adjacent to the lower pitch from a local land-owner.

After several seasons of success in the Craven and District League, the club’s first team moved into the more competitive West Yorkshire League in 2008.

Doing so meant the team had to play their home games at Marley, while their reserve team remain in the Craven League and continue to play in Oxen-hope.

Last season, the club achieved the prestigious Charter Standard Award from the FA and the team gained promotion in their first season in the West Yorkshire League.

Once this development is completed it will mean both teams will play in the village where they belong, plus the next phase of the club’s development plan can be put into action by starting a junior football section at the club.

Club spokesman Ray Broadbent said: “The club wish to put on record their thanks for all the support they have received from the development team at West Riding County FA, the West Yorkshire League, Bradford Council Parks and Landscapes Section, Oxenhope Parish Council and all the club’s sponsors, supporters and players.

“The completion of the pitch development at the Recreation Ground, plus the excellent clubhouse facilities that are already there, will mean that the club can continue to move forward.”