March Town United hope to celebrate Christmas in new clubhouse after legal dispute ends

Brian Lake left money to March Christmas lights and March town united. (Image: Archant)

The club is pressing ahead with plans to build a £140,000 clubhouse at the GER after securing a 30 year lease following a long-running legal dispute with landlords the GER Sports Club.

March Town Grandstand. (Image: Archant)

March, who have one of the oldest wooden stands in the country, have not had a clubhouse since 1994.

A statement on the club’s website said: “The club has arranged a meeting with the Cambridgeshire FA and have an experienced project manager on board to handle matters.

“We will have a new board member who has vast experience not only in football clubs but also in the business world.

“It is anticipated that the actual work on site will start by the beginning of May and that we will be able to celebrate Christmas in our new home.”

The Hares’ 90 year-old grandstand will be knocked down and a new stand built in its place which will be named after the late Brian Lake, who left £50,000 in his will to be shared between March Christmas Lights and the club.

The statement said: “On the financial side a good sum of money was spent in the legal dispute. But we have been prudent and cautious. “A substantial balance remains of the legacy from Brian Lake, and it is intended to use this to obtain a new stand to be named The Brian Lake Stand.

“It is a pity that the present grandstand cannot remain but we will not have the resources to maintain the 90 year-old structure that means a lot to so many people. We require modern facilities better suited to today’s world.

“We do have to thank a number of people for their support and encouragement over this difficult period of the past few years – the players, friends and supporters who have been so patient; our sponsors who have remained true; and to the Cambs FA for their great help and support.”