The sports and social club for Vinnie Jones’ former football team is set to be converted for a new purpose.

Bedmond Sports Pavilion, which contains changing rooms and a function room, will be used as a child contact centre after Three Rivers District Council approved the change of use yesterday (September 26).

Centre for Families (C4F) will operate the Toms Lane building to provide a neutral space where children from separated families can meet with family members they are not living with “in a comfortable and safe environment”, the application said.

Bedmond FC was formerly based out of the sports and social club, using the function room after games and hiring it out for private events, before it shut down when Abbots Langley Parish Council confirmed it would be seeking a new leaseholder.

The changing rooms and storage have been retained for Bedmond Youth Football Club to use.

Bedmond Sports Pavilion (Image: Google Street View) The contact centre will operate from 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 6pm on Saturday, with six staff members including childcare experts and volunteers.

Watford-born Vinnie Jones started his youth career at Bedmond between 1975 and 1977, and previously helped towards refurbishing the social club in ITV show With a Little Help From My Friends.