Selston Football Club has received financial backing from Ashfield District Council.

The club received an initial grant of £500 from the Council’s Community Fund towards a new team bus, which will provide transport to away games.

The funding was matched with £500 grants from Coun Arnie Hankin and Coun David Martin’s Nottinghamshire County Council divisional fund.

The club has also been awarded a further £3,000 from the district council towards ground improvements. This money will unlock a FA grant of up to £24,000.

Work will include a 50 seated and 50 standing covered stand, hard standing paths around the pitch, a new turnstile box and improved signage.

The improvements are vital for the ground to reach level F standard so that the club can continue to compete at step five of the non-league system.

Deene Ball, chairman of Selston FC, said: “We’re very proud of the work we do in the community so we are grateful of the financial backing we have received.

“The minibus will now allow teams of all ages to safely travel to away games. The ground works will be a larger project but with the help of club members I’m looking forward to seeing it complete so we can future-proof our facilities and continue to play at the highest standard possible.”