Plans for a new community sports ground in Thornton Heath have been helped with the award of a grant.

Streatham-Croydon Rugby Club have been given a £90,000 grant from the Rugby Football Union’s Capital Investment Programme (CIP) to put towards their new ground in Brigstock Road.

Funding for this first phase of the project totals £270,000 and will centre on the club’s current changing rooms and stand.

Phase two will see work to develop the old squash courts into more changing facilities and phase three will see the Victorian clubhouse receive a much-needed overhaul to provide more community facilities.

Jeff Greenleaf, the club’s Head Coach highlighted the contribution of Steve O’Connell to winning £70,000 from the Mayor’s Legacy Fund.

Greenleaf said: "Steve has been very supportive of the project and knows the importance of the development to the local community."