Rylands FC seeks planning permission for new stand at ground

An application for planning permission has been submitted to Warrington Borough Council in order to gain consent for the covered structure at Rylands FC’s base on Gorsey Lane in Orford.

The seated stand to the north eastern side of the pitch was built in January.

It is the latest development at Rylands Recreation Club since a takeover by former player and football agent Paul Stretford, whose clients include England internationals Wayne Rooney and Harry Maguire.

This forms part of the second of three phases in order to develop the club, which has burgeoning ambitions of climbing the football pyramid.

Planning application documents also raised the possibility of housing being built on the site in the future.

The submission stated: “The vision is to incorporate further development of the first team ground to ensure it is fit for purpose and enable the club to continue to rise up the non-league ladder, with the ultimate ambition of bringing Football League football to Warrington.

“As part of phase two, we would further develop the clubhouse’s facilities to include modern private hire and function suites that are capable of hosting parties, celebrations, conferences and meetings.

“The area where the Memorial Hall and changing rooms currently reside will become offices on the upper floors and provision of a gym, physiotherapy facility and nails and beauty bar on the ground floor.

“This would enable the site to become self-sufficient and financially viable 365 days of the year.

“Once the site has reached practical completion of phases one and two, we would seek planning permission for housing, a hotel or commercial premises on the remaining land.

“To achieve this, it will require commercial and public partnership to create a plan that serves the local community and improves facilities in the area for the first time since 1906 when Rylands Bros built Rylands Recreation Club.”