Nigel Clough opens £1.8m sports facility
Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough joked the facilities were better than most League Two grounds that his side played at
- Published
Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough has officially opened a new sports pavilion in Derbyshire.
The site, in Loscoe, was home to the Charles Hill Centre but it was demolished in 2016 after falling into disrepair.
It has been rebuilt and contains a community space that can hold about 100 people, changing rooms and kitchen facilities.
Outside, it has six grass pitches and a multi-use games area.
Clough said: "To see so many different grants and organisations all pulling together to create this facility is just wonderful.
“It’s a beautiful building, really high quality, and far better than the facilities at most League Two football grounds."
The new building will also be used by community groups
Clough manages Mansfield Town and has managed Derby County, Sheffield United and Burton Albion, and has played for Nottingham Forest and Liverpool.
He added: "We're losing too many facilities like this. This is absolutely vital, as it's about bringing communities together, and not just for sport."
Amber Valley Borough Council funded the project with the support of a number of grants, including £580,000 from the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund.
Heanor Juniors FC Chairman Stephen Bower believes the new building will help his club to grow
Chairman of Heanor Juniors FC Stephen Bower said his club had a bright future because of the facility and it opened up opportunities.
Simon Gladwin, chief executive of Amber Valley Borough Council, said: "This fantastic new venue will make a huge difference to the area.
"It will not only provide outstanding facilities for sports teams and sports in general, it will also give a much-needed venue for bringing the community together and is a great outlet for encouraging young people to engage in healthy activities rather than anti-social behaviour.
"Everyone at Amber Valley Borough Council would like to thank Nigel Clough for lending his support to such a fantastic project."
Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, external, on X, external, or on Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk, external or via WhatsApp, external on 0808 100 2210.