Footballers and cricketers in Claygate have hit the jackpot thanks to funding awarded to the area by the Football Foundation, the country’s largest sports charity.

Dominic Raab, Member of Parliament for Esher and Walton will present a cheque for £20,000 to Claygate Royals Football Club in front of the old pavilion at 9.30am on Saturday 9 April at Claygate Recreation Ground, Dalmore Avenue, Claygate, Esher, Surrey, KT10 0HQ.

The funding boost will assist the development of a new multi-sport community clubhouse on Claygate Recreation Ground. The new facility will replace the existing building which is more than 60 years old and in very poor condition.

The clubhouse will cost around £300,000 and should be in use in about nine months after construction commences. The new building will comprise of increased space for changing, modern indoor toilets and showers, a room for match officials and enhanced kitchen facilities.

It will also have a lounge area that can accommodate club meetings and wider community use. With hygienic facilities and improved access, it is envisaged that the new building will attract a wide range of community groups in addition to the main users – Claygate Royals FC and Claygate Cricket Club.

Dominic Raab MP said:“This is a terrific boost for the clubhouse project. I am delighted the Football Foundation have agreed to support the brilliant work being done by Nigel Abbott and his team to deliver this invaluable local facility. Promoting local sport is important for health, fitness and community spirit – the clubhouse will be a wonderful family hub for the village.”

Funded by the Premier League, The FA, and the Government via Sport England, the Football Foundation is the nation’s largest sports charity. Launched in July 2000, the Foundation celebrates its tenth anniversary this summer and has so far supported nearly 8,000 community sports projects worth £947m.

Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “On behalf of everyone at the Football Foundation, I would like to congratulate and commend Claygate Royals FC and the Surrey County FA for all the hard work that has been invested into securing this grant.

“I am delighted to see that local MP Dominic Raab is presenting our cheque and supporting the project. The new clubhouse at Claygate Recreation Ground will make an enormous difference to local footballers and cricketers.

“This new project in Claygate is but one example of thousands across the country that the Football Foundation is supporting with money provided by our funding partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government. In Surrey alone the Football Foundation has supported 189 projects worth £19.5m.”

Richard Padun, Chairman of Claygate Royals Football Club, commented: “Being on the verge of having a new clubhouse, one that we can be truly proud of and that benefits the community at large is exciting for the whole football club and its members.

“We’re proud of all the stakeholders who have dedicated their time, effort and skill to deliver this project along with offering our full appreciation to organisations such as the Football Foundation for their generosity and commitment to this community project.”

Both the football and cricket clubs have committed to raise money to support the new club house and have been applying for funds from a range of different organisations. In addition, they have been running events, general fundraising and attracting commercial sponsorship to support the project. A total of £290,000 has been raised so far and decision on when the building work will start will be made shortly.