Bognor Rocks' new clubhouse to boast some of the best facilities around

The football club announce today the replacement for the building destroyed by an arsonist 14 months ago will open on Saturday, November 28.

Town mayor Eileen Anderson will do the honours and a host of other VIPs, ranging from local MP Nick Gibb to former England, QPR and Pompey winger Dave Thomas have been invited.

The new centre features sophisticated lighting, integrated audio visual services, and professional staging with spacious, private dressing rooms for performers.

It is vital to the future of the club, who have had a big hole in their budget since the fire that wiped out their old clubhouse at the start of last season.

The club said the new facility will be the best-equipped of its kind in the Bognor and Chichester area with a capacity to hold events for up to 220 people.

A bar has been designed and built specially for the centre, and the kitchens are large enough to cater for upmarket functions such as weddings and anniversaries.

"We want people to see the new centre as an important addition to the social, business and entertainment fabric of Bognor and Chichester," said Roger Nash, spokesman for Bognor Regis Town Football Club.

"In terms of its size, facilities and features it is something very special, and it really will be a venue for all occasions."

Since the fire, the club have been through a torrid time, largely because of the loss of up to 30 per cent of their income.

The hope is the new centre will appeal to a much wider audience than just football fans. The club want locals to use it for special occasions and provide a boost to the club's stretched finances.

The name for the new centre is being kept under wraps until later this month.

A number of events will be held at the centre in the run-up to the official opening to 'test drive' all the facilities.

These include an inaugural Folk on the Coast night on Friday, November 27, and a gala dinner to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Bognor's giant-killing feat in the FA Cup against Swansea on Saturday, November 21.

A vote of thanks will be given at the opening to the main building contractors, Wilson House Developments Ltd, and legendary ex-Rocks player Mick Pullen, who have worked tirelessly to complete the project in record time.

The rebuilding was masterminded by Rocks general manager Jack Pearce.

Pre-Christmas bookings for the new facility are now being taken by club chief steward Phil Diamond on 07828 631839.

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