A football club will be showcasing its newly renovated grounds after six years of raising funds and attempting to approve planning permissions.

Rayners Lane FC, members of the Spartan South Midlands League Division One, have received an “entire uplift” at their ground, Tithe Farm Sports and Social Club.

Since their development from April 2018, the team were treated to a newly laid G3 pitch. Other developments including entire renovations to the grounds, a full-size multi use games area, additional floodlights, new car parks and improved landscaping were also in the works and will be unveiled at a grand-opening gala.

The chairman of the team, Martin Noblett, has been passionate about improving the grounds since he took the role twelve years ago. After two years in the role, he succeeded in getting new floodlights, which was just part of his renovation masterplan.

Mr Noblett said: “Due to our original club requiring extensive repairs and being in the same situation as most of the clubs, at our level we had no money.

“We knew we couldn’t afford to repair the club anymore, so we approached the council and said we cannot maintain it.

“I embarked on the idea six years ago, of selling a part of our existing club grounds, disused tennis courts that needed a large sum of money spent – that once again was not available.”

Initially the proposal was rejected by Harrow Council, but later was approved by the council, building company Matthew Homes and by Tithe Farm Sports and Social club.

Harrow Council used the disused space of tennis courts to introduce 30 new flats, working with Red Line Land, a building planning and development company, in exchange for free redevelopment of the Tithe Farm Sports and Social Club.

The entire process was “a long and hard struggle” according to Mr Noblett, but he hopes that his determination seen throughout his time as chair could help inspire other smaller league clubs to help redevelop their grounds.

A grand-opening gala event open to the public will be held on October 5 at 7pm to celebrate the completed new developments.

Special guests including Leatherhead midfielder Daniel Gallagher, MP Gareth Thomas and other councillors are expected to make an appearance at the opening.