Blues reveal plans to improve facilities

Blues were relegated from Sussex County League Division 2 last season after they failed to meet ground grading requirements, despite not finishing in the relegation places.

The club are now hoping to install a 100-seater stand and floodlights at their Jubilee Avenue ground.

Virgoe has sent an open letter to Rustington residents and, if it receives positive support, the club will then look to secure planning permission for the improvements to take place.

In the letter, Virgoe wrote: “The facilities we are proposing will allow us to enter national competitions such as the FA Cup and FA Vase.

“We feel they will also enhance the recreation ground, allowing the whole community to use these additional facilities for outdoor summer events where people of all ages can attend.

“We are actively looking for partnerships with local charities to use these facilities for events for all ages to enjoy.”

Virgoe is hoping the letter will get a positive reaction and said: “As a club, we thought this was the best way to go.

“We felt that letting people in the area know of the position we find ourselves and letting them know what we require was the right thing to do.

“Hopefully, this way we will receive a lot of support from people who live near the ground and then we can put the plans forward.

“In an ideal world, this will go well and then we will look at having a meeting with the Parish Council in the upcoming months.”

Should the potential improvements receive positive support, Virgoe is confident it will come to fruition.

He added: “We are in the process of having the potential costs priced up.

“The club will obviously have to go to the Parish Council and gain permission but we remain hopeful.

“Rustington has been in existence for more than 100 years and we want this club to continue for many more seasons.”

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