The money came from the West Norfolk Partnership – and the club is delighted.

Club committee representative Tim Smith said: "All members of the club are thrilled to be receiving a grant from the partnership.

"Our clubhouse is in real need of renovation to ensure clean and safe facilities, especially for children.

"Unfortunately recent vandalism to the grounds has been a real blow to us, but we are confident that we will soon bounce back especially with this additional funding."

Of the project he said: "This will enhance our already thriving community club and hopefully will allow us to continue training and playing football with children and people of all ages for many years in the future."

The ambitious project will see the club's ground transformed with new fencing, external lighting, secure storage facilities for equipment and major refurbishment to the clubhouse.

It will make the ground, which is at the junction of Waterworks Road and Church Road, safer for the growing numbers of children in the club's junior teams.

As well as applying for funding for the project, the club has to raise £2,500 from its own funds, said a spokesman for West Norfolk Council.

Help and support has been received from the partnership team, community police and Old Hunstanton Parish Council. Pledges of support have also been made by many local businesses including Peter Godfrey Architects, Buxton and Cawthorn and Able Builders.

Partnership chairman councillor Nick Daubney said: "We are delighted to be contributing to a community-based project that will enhance a much-valued facility.

"This is the third year that a grant scheme has been run in the northern part of the borough to help assist with the impact that second homes has to small communities.

"This year's project has been run through the police community action groups and invited parishes and local groups to come forward with projects ideas to improve the area they live in."

Refurbishment work will hopefully start in October.