Farnborough Football Club (FFC) has announced that it has appointed a contractor to lead the development of the new South Stand at the Prospect Road End of the club's Cherrywood Road stadium.

Stadium Solutions will be responsible for delivering the project, which is expected to cost around £500,000 once additional professional and consultancy fees are taken into account. Planning permission was granted by Rushmoor Borough Council in 2004 for the new seated stand, which will also include toilets, a catering outlet, a bar and communal areas, as well as disabled facilities.

The Football Foundation has contributed £150,000 towards the scheme, while FFC intends to commit £250,000. The remaining balance will be raised through fundraising, including £50,000 from the Farnborough Supporters Trust. FFC chair, Simon Hollis, said: "In the current economic climate, when money is very hard to raise and most football clubs and businesses are cutting back, it has been difficult to undertake this development.

"However, if we had not proceeded with it then the Football Foundation grant would have been lost and the opportunity would have gone."