THEY celebrated their most emphatic win of the season on Saturday - but March Town United’s biggest result for decades was confirmed on Tuesday without a ball being kicked.

The Hares have been granted planning permission for a £140,000 clubhouse at the GER, paving the way for a new era for football in the town.

Fenland District Council gave the green light to the facility, which will have a front entrance on Robingoodfellow’s Lane and include a bar, community room, medical room, kitchen, toilets and changing rooms.

Chairman Phil White said: “I’m absolutely over the moon. We can get it all moving forward now - the Hares are on the move!”

March’s plans emerged after a long-running dispute with their landlords, the GER Sports Club, ended in an out-of-court settlement in February.

The feud resulted in a package which could see the football club receive £40,000 - to be paid in instalments - and a new 30-year lease from their landlords.

The club have already held meetings with the Football Foundation to discuss funding and they hope the clubhouse could be finished as early as September.

The news sealed a fantastic week for the Hares, who thrashed Long Melford 4-0 on Saturday. Lewis Thompson marked his return from injury with a brace, while Danny Emmington also hit a double.

Boss Paul Crosbie said: “It sounds daft after you’ve just had your biggest win of the season, but the result should have been a lot better. We could have had double figures.

“At times we were excellent but at times we weren’t relentless enough.”

March, who travel to Great Yarmouth Town in the quarter-finals of the Thurlow Nunn First Division Knockout Cup tomorrow, sit 12th in the league.

“I genuinely fancy our chances in the cup,” said Crosbie.

“We think we’ve got an opportunity but if we don’t approach it properly we will be out. Silverware would be very nice but I’m trying not to think about it yet.

“In the league, I want to finish top 10, even top eight if the squad stays fit. We’ve had so many false dawns this season when we think we’re going in the right direction so now it’s time to push on.”