Sheppey Rugby Club are celebrating receipt of a £3,500 grant from Kent County Council as they move a step closer to developing facilities at their Lower Road, Minster, headquarters.

The money will support the club through the planning permission stage toward the dream of building a £1.5 million clubhouse.

Club chairman Neil Golding (pictured right), who is leading the development project, praised the efforts of Cllr Adrian Crowther in supporting the club.

He said: "I have met Mr Crowther on several occasions and it is refreshing that he shares our vision for the club.

"It goes without saying that we are delighted to have received this grant as it will help us achieve our dreams.

"The proposed new clubhouse is likely to cost in the region of £1.5 million but getting a small club like Sheppey through the expensive stage of planning is taking a lot of time and energy, in addition to eating into the club’s sparse resources."

Sheppey hope to submit their application for planning permission early next season before starting the difficult process of securing funding.

The new development is designed to serve the Island community in addition to keeping pace with the club’s rugby’s aspiratrions.

Mr Golding added: "We want to give the Island a top-class facility that not only helps us with development of rugby at all levels, including girls’ rugby but one that community groups can make use of.

"The vision is to construct a two-storey, eco-friendly clubhouse that will host weddings, conference, local groups and societies in addition to indoor sports and pursuits."