DOLGELLAU Athletic Football Club is celebrating a £15k grant from Sport Wales as part of a nationwide scheme.

The Places for Sport initiative forms half of the funding the MMP-NL Mid Wales League Two club had targeted raising as part of its long standing plans to improve Car Marian.

Committee members Stephen Parry, Roger Savage and Glyn Roberts have been at the forefront of the grant bid having also ensured approval from the town council and National Resources Wales.

Parry said: “We are very lucky in Dolgellau where we have the Marian fields consisting of a cricket and rugby and football pitches, all maintained by hard working and voluntary club members.

“We have made many developments over the years; erecting the David Smithies stand, installing benches and dugouts, fixing railings and laying hard standing.

“However we have experienced vandalism, dog faeces, broken glass, arson, damage and graffiti, which has disheartened many in the town and raised concerns for health and safety.”

The pitch will now be fenced and create an enclosed facility, representing a major step toward bringing Cae Marian to tier three criteria, including 100 seats.

Parry said: “We are thankful to our committee for not giving in, especially when grants weren’t forthcoming and immensely grateful to Sport Wales for recognising our need for fencing and rewarding our passion and belief that this facility will develop football and wellbeing in Dolgellau.”