A VILLAGE football club in Selby district has got a newly upgraded pitch, two years after Storm Desmond wreaked havoc on their grounds.

Cliffe FC's pitches were officially reopened by Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams last weekend, after work to repair the storm damage,

The club was given nearly £15,000 by the Emergency Football Relief Fund – a scheme delivered by the Football Foundation - after the storm flooded the playing surface, which was already prone to waterlogging. The pitch was unplayable for six months, and the club was without a ground for half of the 2015/16 season, landing both the club and players with extra bills for hiring grounds elsewhere and travelling to matches and training.

Mr Adams said: "I was delighted to have been asked to reopen Cliffe FC’s improved pitches. Grassroots sport is really important in our area, so it’s great to have this facility back up and running following the severe storm damage.

“My thanks go to the Football Foundation, which delivered the Emergency Football Relief Fund.”

The grant has paid for a state-of-the-art new drainage system, as well as surface improvement work.

Malcolm Bryce, Cliffe FC Club Secretary, added: “We are very grateful for the Emergency Football Relief Fund, and this project has secured the future for the football club playing field and wider Cliffe village community as a whole for many years to come. Many thanks to Stuart Ballantyne of Cliffe FC committee, and the CPFA for their assistance also.”