Volunteers help to revamp Portishead Football Club

The club, in Bristol Road, welcomed dozens of people to help redecorate the clubhouse and install new facilities for its members and the community, including an adventure trail.

Money for the trail came from fundraising carried out by the under-eight and under-nine squads while £500 was given by Mark Stallard and £750 was donated by Wendy Watkins and Gemma Cooper who both head the Portishead Carnival committee.

Club chairman Adrian Green said: “The club is pushing hard to encourage families to enjoy the clubhouse and the play area is a great asset for Portishead Town Football Club.”

Members are hoping the club will become a ‘social meeting point’ and are encouraging more people to take advantage of the new-look venue.

Emma Francombe, social and events manager, said: “We have bought a hot catering van, a good coffee machine and held a DIY SOS weekend to revamp the club.

“With the help of volunteers and local businesses we have given the club a fresh look.

“We want the community to start using the club again as a social meeting point.

“We have Sky Sports and show all sporting events people want to watch, including all football matches.

“You do not need to be a member to come in.

“We also want to push the club as a venue for hire.

“With a fully licensed bar and capacity for nearly 100 people, we are perfect for parties for all occasions.”

The club’s under-16s team have also completed a 40-mile bike ride from Ashton Gate in Bristol to Bath for charity.

Almost 20 youngsters took part and raised more than £3,000 for Be More Ben, a charity set up following the death of eight-year-old former Portishead Town player Benjamin Pritchard.

Portishead Town is also showing Anthony Joshua’s fight against Alexander Povetkin live from Wembley Stadium on September 22 to raise more funds for Be More Ben.

Emma added: “Ben’s parents, Sarah and Shane Pritchard, met the under-16s at Portishead Town FC earlier this month to accept the cheque.”