An ambitious community football club in Stonehouse have outlined their vision for the future after taking control of a sports facility from South Lanarkshire Council.
Royal Albert FC took over the running of Tileworks Park in the village in August of this year as part of a community asset transfer.
Earlier this month, Albert coaches and volunteers welcomed South Lanarkshire Provost Margaret Cooper, council leader Joe Fagan, the village’s MP Joani Reid and members of Stonehouse Community Council for a tour of the improved facilities and to find out more about the club’s plans.
Albert committee member Ross Thomson said: “It has been a lot of hard work over the past few months.
“We are all volunteers but we are all desperate to make the Tileworks a real sports hub for Stonehouse. When we took over we had six youth teams and our junior side and we have been able to add to that already.
“We are also working with other groups within the village including the newly-formed Stonehouse Pump Track Club which would also provide an improved bike track so it’s a very positive picture.
“We all have tonnes of ideas for improving Tileworks but this is a long-term project.”
Since August, Stonehouse businesses and groups have backed Albert’s plans with almost £4000 in sponsorship. The club were also successful in obtaining grants from the council’s Renewable Energy Fund and Kype Muir Wind Farm Community Fund to purchase vital equipment.
Tileworks’ main building and five-a-side cages been painted thanks to the council’s community payback team and the improved facilities have allowed two teams to form already, as well as the public being able to hire out the pitches.
MP Joani Reid said: “It was fantastic to visit Tileworks Park and hear about the ambitious proposals Royal Albert FC has for this site. This project represents a tremendous opportunity to bring lasting benefits to the Stonehouse community.
“The hard work and dedication of the club’s volunteers, along with support from local businesses and organisations, will make a real difference.
“The proposed plans are expected to create opportunities for sports, recreation, and community engagement, further strengthening Stonehouse as a vibrant and inclusive community.
“I look forward to seeing how these proposals develop and will continue to support initiatives like this that empower local communities to take ownership of their future.”
Provost Cooper added: “I was delighted to be able to find out more about the work that is being done at Tileworks Park. I look forward to working with Royal Albert volunteers as they take their plans forward.”
Albert’s big plans for the next 12 months include the creation of a walking football section and one for girls, as well providing football holiday camps for youngsters.
SLC Council Leader Joe Fagan said: “You cannot help but be impressed at the extent of the community undertaking and ideas for expansion. It’s all for the good of Stonehouse and for sport and physical activity in the community.
“Good, well-designed community asset transfers, that galvanise a community, can unlock the potential of places like Stonehouse and make a mark on this generation and the generations to follow.
“I wish everyone well as they take forward their work at Tileworks and look forward to seeing it all grow and develop.”
Stonehouse Pump Track Club is hoping to turn the disused bike track at Tileworks into a pump track with an all-weather surface to allow a new generation of kids to have fun and exercise at the same time.
The club’s chairman Darin Gebbie said “We’re looking forward to working with our neighbours at Royal Albert Football Club to develop the facilities at Tileworks into a great sports destination for children and adults alike.”
George Smith, from Stonehouse Community Council, added: “It was good for us to see first hand the work that is being undertaken at Tileworks Park.
“What the volunteers are looking to achieve will be good for the young people (and the senior citizens) of the village when the club introduce the new teams.
“The community council wish Royal Albert coaches and volunteers all the best for 2025 to build on what has already been achieved.”
*Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.