Sir Bobby's old ground to get a makeover

Dec 4 2009 by Neil McKay, The Journal

A TRANSFORMATION to the village sports ground where a youthful Sir Bobby Robson played football was given the green light by councillors yesterday.

Langley Park sports and social club near Durham has not changed much since the soccer legend began making a name for himself as a junior footballer during the austere years following the end of World War II.

The social club, changing rooms and cricket pavilion remain – but not for much longer.

For new owner Alan Cassidy intends to transform the ageing clubhouse into a modern leisure centre for the former mining community.

His plans include a new, larger clubhouse and cricket pavilion, changing rooms, and an all-weather five-a-side pitch.

The existing social club and changing rooms would be demolished.

Mr Cassidy said a larger, more comfortable social club would increase revenue which would be ploughed back into village sports facilities on the site.

Durham County Councillors approved the plans at a meeting yesterday.