Football players and their families have backed plans to give their clubhouse a “new lease of life” in a major revamp.

The Chorleywood Common Youth Football Club (CCYFC) has applied to Three Rivers District Council to carry out multiple internal and external renovations to its pavilion as well as add a single-storey extension. 

In a design statement, the applicant said: “The existing club pavilion is a tired and dated facility that requires modernisation and improvement to ensure that it can keep providing support for local communities and grassroots football.

A CGI of how the renovation clubhouse could look.A CGI of how the renovation clubhouse could look. (Image: CCYFC) “The proposed application will seek to provide this and a much-improved facility for the growing club and local children.”

The current building is in a “tired state”, according to the club, with a leaking roof and timber cladding which has gone rotten and fallen off in parts.

The current building is in a tired state according to the club.The current building is in a tired state according to the club. (Image: CCYFC)If approved, the plans will see the central clubroom replaced with a larger meeting hall, the toilet and changing facilities renovated as well as an extension added to the north end to accommodate more equipment storage.

The new hall will have a kitchen and seating area for players and visitors to enjoy post game drinks and sandwiches, as well as an external hatch to serve customers outside during matches.

Inside the proposed meeting hall with new seating spaces.Inside the proposed meeting hall with new seating spaces. (Image: CCYFC) CCYFC hopes the changes will promote local engagement with the club: adding: “The proposals will ensure that CCYFC have a fit for purpose facility that is safe, warm, dry and welcoming for all, both new and existing members, along with visiting teams and officials.”

Twelve comments have been lodged in support so far as residents called the existing clubhouse a “disgrace”, “eyesore” and “embarrassment to the area”.

A parent of two youth players said the plans were “vital for the continued development of the club”, adding: “The club provides children and the community vital life skills and this build will ensure that the club can thrive for many years to come.”

Another CCYFC player said: “Every time I need to use the toilet I have to walk through a grim, dark and damp hallway and then enter an abandoned-like toilet that looks like it’s from the stone age.” 

A layout of the proposed changes.A layout of the proposed changes. (Image: CCYFC)They added: "CCYFC is a great club and I am proud to play for my team but our facilities are embarrassing and me and my team can’t wait to have a clubhouse to be proud of.”

One CCYFC player said they were proud to play for the club despite its embarrassing facilities.One CCYFC player said they were proud to play for the club despite its embarrassing facilities. (Image: CCYFC) Chorleywood Parish Council praised the plans to improve the “community asset”, but said the “extent of the hard standing” proposed would be inappropriate in the Green Belt.