TODAY is a big day in the footballing calendar: not only has next season's fixture list been revealed but FC Elmstead has announced it is to improve its home ground.

Work has got underway at Chislehurst Recreation Ground after the club, in partnership with Bromley Council, received a grant of £49,349 from the Football Foundation, the country’s largest sports charity.

The funding has allowed pitch improvements to be carried out, with drainage and levelling works being undertaken to enhance pitch quality.

As well as allowing the club to develop and grow, the improvements will enable new opportunities for mini soccer, girls' football and senior football.

Treasurer of FC Elmstead Fabio Rossi said: "The improvements to these pitches will enable us to work with more footballers and hopefully, help them play better football, both for fun and fitness and to help them play at the highest level possible.

"The Rec is very much our ‘home’ and these improvements will mean that we will be able to play there for years to come."

Councillor Colin Smith, Executive Councillor for Environment, said: "We are delighted to be working with local residents including FC Elmstead in this case who we are thrilled for, to improve parks and recreation grounds across the Borough.

"Hopefully, by working together and making sure that they remain attractive and interesting places which people want to visit, our green spaces can still have a bright future notwithstanding the significant cuts to local government finances."