Bristol youth football teams wants to improve changing rooms

A football club that has used a shipping container as a changing room and kit store since its pavilion was burned down by arsonists is a finalist in the Building Healthy Communities competition.

Fishponds Old Boys Youth FC rents a pitch behind Briarwood School on the Hillfields estate in Fishponds.

The club – which has three teams from under 11s to under 13s in the Avon Youth League – was set up in 1996.

But three years ago its old wooden pavilion, with its two changing rooms, toilets, referee's room and kit room, were burned down.

A few months ago the committee spent the last of its funds to buy an old shipping container for changing rooms and a kit store – required for the club to stay in the league.

Robert Tanner, 55, manager and treasurer of the under 12s, from Downend Road, Fishponds, hopes that by winning the Post competition they can refurbish the container.

He said: "We are pleased to get to the final, as it would be a big boost for the club to have our facilities upgraded.

"What we would like to do is have the container rubbed down and painted and get some basic facilities inside it, so the boys can sit down out of the rain.

"We would love to have some racking to store all of the gear, some wooden panels to board out the walls and flooring made of some sort of rubber. We could then get a smaller container to put in toilet facilities and a wash basin.

"It would be brilliant for the club to win. It is nearly three years since the pavilion was burned down, and we haven't had any facilities since then.

"It is a shame, because we might have to finish as a club if we can't get proper facilities. We love the set-up of the ground. It is just one pitch, and we feel it is ours.

"While we had the changing rooms it was great.

"We are a small outfit and £1,000, or even more, would mean a lot to us."

The Post's Building Healthy Communities competition, sponsored by Leadbitter, gives community groups the chance to win a share of £8,000 for improvements.

There are three prizes for the competition, a day's worth of work and materials to the value of £5,000, £2,000 and £1,000.

Leadbitter regional director Rob Bradley said: "It is such a shame a club like this is under threat because of the actions of a group of vandals.

"Clubs that encourage youngsters are vital to grass-roots sports, and it is important they have the right facilities to give them every chance of success.

"We wish them the best of luck with the competition."

Post deputy editor Rob Stokes said: "Here is a truly worthy contender. Despite their changing room being burnt down they have kept going. They are not asking for the world, simply some improvements to the former container which they now use as a changing room.

"It would mean such a lot to their players and would help keep the club going."

Every day there are tokens and a voting voucher in each copy of the Post. Each token has a points value, and the shortlisted groups and their supporters should collect as many tokens as they can.

The club or organisation which has the highest value will win top prize.

The second highest will take second spot, and the club with the third highest tokens will win third place.

The results will be announced on July 17, and work will take place in August.