Cash-strapped Villa in danger of losing grant

ELBURTON Villa are desperately searching for additional sponsorship to meet a deadline for the redevelopment of their Haye Road pitch.

The South West Peninsula League Premier club secured a £55,000 Football Foundation grant to help erect a grandstand and floodlights at Haye Road.

But the overall cost of the work is in excess of £100,000.

Villa general manager and vice-chairman Dave Trott said: "We have applied for other grants without success and our current sponsors have been magnificent, but we are still between £16,000 and £20,000 short of completing the task.

"We have until October to complete the work and would be grateful to any potential benefactors, businesses or individuals who could make a donation towards our fund."

Trott is aware that failure to complete the work could lose them their main grant and he is convinced that the work, when completed, would be to the benefit of more than just the club.

He added: "We are a club who are heavily involved in the community of Plymouth.

"Our facilities are used by Plymouth Argyle and the Devon Junior and Minor League, who hold most of their finals at Haye Road.

"The floodlights and stand would be an added bonus to local schools and leagues, because the ground could be available for use on a much larger scale."

For more information, contact Trott on 01752 217837 or 07984 363320.