THIS SATURDAY will be a big day in the history of Stoke Gabriel Football Club.

And Stoke are hoping that as many former players, managers and supporters as possible will go along to the GJ Churchward Memorial Ground to enjoy it.

Representatives from the Football Foundation and the Football Association will hand over a cheque for £452,000 towards the cost of Stoke's new clubhouse complex.

That ceremony will be at 2.30pm, before the kick-off of Stoke's Peninsula League derby against Newton Abbot Spurs.

It's three-and-a-half years since the club launched its ambitious campaign to build a new HQ.

Now, the funding is in place for an impressive two-storey building incorporating four changing-rooms, a medical centre, 450-capacity function room and viewing balcony.

The whole project is costing around £600,000, and it is scheduled to open next spring.

It will be open seven days a week, and South Devon College as well as various other local community organisations are already lined up to use it.

"It's been quite an undertaking for a small village football club," said project manager Dave Weeks.

"It will be something to be proud of, so there's an open invitation to past players and managers to be part of the day."