Delighted players and coaches at Derry Hill Football Club celebrated the long awaited opening of their new clubhouse on Saturday.

After years of fundraising the club finally reached the target of £300,000 to build a club house on the Bowood Sports Ground.

Youngsters, parents and coaches gathered at the ground on Saturday to watch Swindon Town legend John Trollope, now a scout for Bristol Rovers, open the building and unveil a plaque to mark the occasion.

Derry Hill Boys FC was formed eight years ago by a group of parents for children.

Club chairman Alan Crocker said, “When we first started we had limited facilities, no shelter or toilets.

“It was essentially just a field.

“However with only 18 members who all lived close, we managed to get by.

“We knew as we grew we would have to do something to provide the facilities required to support our players and volunteers.”

The growth of the club has been phenomenal with current membership exceeding 200 players in 15 teams, both girls and boys between the ages of six and 17.

The huge interest in girls’ football led to a name change in 2004 to Derry Hill United FC.

Now the clubhouse is open, members will no longer have to use a mobile building with no power or toilets.

Instead they have a purpose built clubhouse with two changing rooms, showers, a kitchen and meeting room.

In just 18 months, the new building was planned and built with support from the Wiltshire County Football Association.

Mr Crocker thanked the Football Foundation, the former North Wiltshire District Council, the Landfill Community Fund, Viridor Credits, Community First and the Communities Council for Wiltshire for their support.

“The support and funding from these organizations gave us the motivation and confidence to get the job done, and done quickly,” he said.

“Now we’re here with a wonderful new facility for our members to use “I hope our young members and adult volunteers make full use of the clubhouse and enjoy and take pride in this new facility for many years to come.”

Chief executive of the Football Foundation Paul Thorogood commended the club and the local FA for their hard work in making the new clubhouse happen.

“Sport is playing a central role in helping people to stay fit, strengthen communities and promote responsibility among young people,” he said.