Ground works on course

MANGOTSFIELD United’s new pitch is on track to be ready for use in November.

Contractors Tiger Turf and McCardle sent bulldozers in to the Cossham Street ground at the end of June to clear the turf pitch, so a new 3G all-weather surface can be installed.

The £1.2 million project by the club and Mangotsfield & Blackhorse Sports and Community Association has received funding from the Premier League, Football Association and the government’s Football Foundation.

It also includes installing new LED floodlights and upgrading the clubhouse.

By September the ground had been levelled, removing the previous 2.2m (7ft 2in) drop between its highest and lowest corners.

New fencing is going up and two new covered stands have been built opposite the main Ralph Miller stand.

The club said the work was “on course” to be finished in time for the first home league game, which is due to be on November 23 against Slimbridge.