The chairman of Whitchurch Cricket Club has issued a plea for the support of people in the town to help raise much-needed funds to upgrade the club.

The Heath Road club are one of three community projects selected by Tesco supermarket, in White Lion Meadow, for customers to use blue tokens and support which venture should receive up to £4,000.

Rod Jones, chairman at Whitchurch, believes the money will be used to bring the club, which hosts county level cricket as well as a host of community events, into the 21st century.

“This club was built towards the men’s game, with two men’s teams and a junior section,” he said.

“But we encourage women to play and everywhere they go, including here, they to change in the women’s toilets.

“That’s not great, so we’re aiming to put in women’s changing rooms around the same area they get changed now.

“We want people to help us maintain the club as one that is forward thinking, so we need people to help us reach our goal.

“We make money through the bar but need this extra help, so if we can get that help, then it would be brilliant.”

Rod believes upgrading the facilities will allow Whitchurch to continue to play a strong role in the community.

He added: “We do a lot for the community and Whitchurch, and we have been for years, ever since I was a kid.

“This club gets used week in, week out and we make it available for charity and businesses, while Whitchurch Alport girls use the pitch too.

“We’re maintaining it but it’s getting so used so much, it’s looking tired, so we need to upgrade the main room and the showers.

“But also, if anyone wants to help, then that’s great. We welcome anyone that wants to help us.”

Whitchurch has more than 100 juniors at the club, with three senior men’s teams.

Customers at Tesco will be able to make their ‘blue counter’ vote from next week until the end of October.

Anyone wanting to contact Rod about helping towards improvements can do so at rodjones218@hotmail.com