WORK is due to get under way next week on a near £80,000 extension and refurbishment of Mildenhall Town’s clubhouse.

The Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division club have received a grant of £55,256 from The Football Stadia Improvement Fund, which is funded by the Premier League through the Football Foundation, towards a total cost of £78,937.

A new hospitality suite will be built in the south west corner of their Recreation Way ground, with the current hospitality suite forming part of a new, improved kitchen.

The current kitchen will be moved to increase space inside the clubhouse, along with the creation of a new beer cellar and storeroom.

Former club secretary Brian Hensby, who oversaw the application, said the project is expected to take 10-12 weeks to complete.

He said: “The improvements and increased capacity should help us attract more members, which will generate more income for the club.

“The new hospitality suite will also be used by our Youth teams when they are playing on Jubilee Fields.”

Mildenhall Town chairman Bill Flynn said: “The club has been planning to improve the existing clubhouse for many years, as the existing capacity really has struggled to cope with the matchday crowds.

“The improvements will lead to a 40 per cent increase in capacity, as well as doubling the size of our kitchen and hospitality suite.

“Our thanks go to Mildenhall High Town Council, who agreed a new long-term lease recently, and also to Billy Fox, the Football Foundation’s Technical Manager for the East, and Jodie Allard, Football Development Manager at Suffolk FA, who provided valuable guidance over the last few years, showing us the way to make this happen.”

He continued: “This project has not been easy to pull together, and I would like to thank all of the committee for their efforts, but in particular, the sterling work of long-standing club secretary, Brian Hensby and recent addition to the committee, Jonathan Sadler, who have done most of the legwork in completing the successful application to the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, without which, this project would not be able to go ahead.

“I would also like to thank our patrons, who have offered valuable professional services such as valuations, building regulation compliance and technical drawings, all of which were essential to the success of our application.”

Pictured above where the new hospitality suite is to be built are (left to right) Billy Flynn, Jodie Allard and Brian Hensby, who are also in the main picture outside the front of the clubhouse at Mildenhall Town's Recreation Way ground.

Suffolk FA Football Development Manager Jodie Allard said: “Congratulations to Mildenhall Town FC for securing this significant investment from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund to support the development of their facilities.

“Since meeting to discuss their idea for the project, many individuals at the club have been working hard behind the scenes to bring this project to fruition.

“The impact that the extension and refurbishment of the clubhouse will have on the hosting capacity of the club will be significant, and I have no doubt that they will continue to maximise the positive impact these facility developments will have on the club moving forwards.”