RYLANDS’ bid to become a North West Counties League side has received a huge boost after the rejuvenation of their Gorsey Lane ground began.

Backed by Paul Stretford of Triple S Sports and Entertainment Group, a leading sports management company with clients such as Wayne Rooney, the first stage of the ground’s transformation has just been completed.

New pitch side barriers installed over the last fortnight are the first in a five-step plan to improve the offering of grassroots football in Warrington.

The previous system at Rylands Recreation Ground, using rope lifted by built in poles, was not enough for the club to meet the grading requirements to play any higher than the current standard of the Cheshire League.

The addition of steel barriers at an increased distance from the playing surface now provide the club with a surround that enables them to play in the North West Counties and above.

Further plans include building new dugouts, installing modern style ‘box nets’, creating a pitch-side changing and shower facility and building a covered terracing for spectators.

The club will then add floodlights, should the on-pitch results be enough to earn promotion.

Stretford, managing director of Triple S and a former Rylands player, said: “As a local company that operates at the very highest level of sport, we feel that it is important as part of our corporate social responsibility programme to put something back in to local and grassroots projects.

“Rylands FC is one of such projects that we have supported through sponsorship and more recently, fundraising to help much needed ground improvements.”

A Rylands spokesperson added: “The reason for the ground work at Rylands is quite simple, to better the offering of Rylands Football Club.

“It is hoped that the much needed improvement of the facilities can offer an all-round greater match day experience for players, officials, club representatives and spectators.

“This, in turn, can help the club to attract the best talent that the town has to offer to create a team that is strong enough on the pitch to hopefully achieve the ultimate aim, which is for Rylands FC to progress in to the North West Counties League and further.

“The club’s on pitch performance is constantly improving, having welcomed a new youth team this summer and the Rylands first team now an established side in the top half of the Cheshire League’s Premier Division.

“Appearing in consecutive League Cup finals along the way and with the backing a sponsor who are now in their third year of sponsoring the club, financially able to make the developments happen, the club felt that the time was right to begin a new chapter in the Rylands era.”