Arnold Town Football Club have been awarded funding worth ?1.4m to become a sporting hub in their Nottingham community.

Local MP and Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker presented the cheque at 2pm on Friday 27 July at the site of the new sports complex - Eagle Valley, Oxton Road, Arnold.

Also present were Pete Boydon from the Football Foundation, Anne Rippon from Sport England, Ricky Stevenson from the Nottinghamshire County FA, along with Steve Weatherby and Roy Francis from Arnold Town FC.

The club have been awarded ?1 million from the Football Foundation, ?300,000 as part of the Community Club Development Programme (CCDP) and a further ?100,000 from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF).

CCDP is a Government funded scheme, managed by Sport England, specifically earmarked to develop links between the country's leading junior clubs and their local communities, providing quality coaching and safe environments for young people to enjoy the national game.

The Football Association identified Arnold Town FC as being eligible for CCDP investment.

The funding will provide a new six changing room pavilion with ancillary facilities, as well as five full size, three junior and two mini grass pitches on a new site.

The new development will enable a 45% increase in male users and a 65% increase amongst female users.

Arnold Town Youth Football Club, Arnold Town FC, Arnold Town Veterans FC and Arnold Town Ladies have formed a partnership which will drive forward the development of football in the area of Arnold.

The following will be achieved from the new development of the football clubs in Arnold:

* Development of junior football
* Performance Development of the Academy and the first team
* Increase in the number and quality of girls and women playing football
* Development of opportunities for disabled players
* Ensure that recreational football is available for all ages
* Provide more competitive opportunities for all players
* Increase the number and quality of coaches, administrators and officials

Arnold Town FC have previously been awarded a Foundation grant of ?5,740 towards club development, as well as free football kit and equipment and a Barclays Spaces for Sports coaching pack.

Vernon Coaker MP, said: "These substantial grants from the Football Foundation and the CCDP initiative will make a massive difference to Arnold and neighbouring communities.

"The new development will create many more opportunities for local people of all abilities to play regular sports and stay fit."

Secretary of Arnold Town Football Club, Steve Weatherby, said: "We can now fulfil our ambition to further develop our competitive teams and provide recreational football to our community.

"Alongside our 32 league teams we plan to run a similar number with the emphasis on fun.

"Recreational football will be provided for young people initially and subsequently will be developed for adults. We will be working with local schools and disability groups."

Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: "Arnold Town FC will now be able to play an even bigger role in developing the grass roots game in their area.

"Foundation investment, alongside the CCDP funding is strengthening the bond between local clubs and the communities they serve."

Anne Rippon, Interim Regional Director for Sport England East Midlands said: "This large grant from the CCDP will enable Arnold Town FC to strengthen its already significant role within the local community.

"The new development will help increase the number of people getting actively involved in the club.

"Bringing teams together and offering more opportunities for people to progress from junior to senior activity will mean more people staying fit and participating in sport.

"The development will also help Sport England to achieve its ambition of getting two million people more active by 2012."