One of Cornwall’s biggest public playing fields has been handed over to the community following a new lease agreement signed between Redruth United Football Club and Cornwall Council.

The club is taking on management of Clijah Croft Playing Fields in the town with an initial £50,000 council investment over the next five years. This will be used to support maintenance and business plans currently being drawn up by the club.

The 6.5-hectare facility at the south-eastern edge of the town includes four grassed pitches for senior football, a junior pitch, a two-storey changing room and public access for recreation.

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Cllr Carol Mould, Cornwall’s portfolio holder for neighbourhoods, said: “The transfer of responsibility for managing the space is exactly what we as a council are committed to deliver.

“We are pleased to be facilitating the town’s football club the opportunity to improve this important space, and to grow as a sporting organisation.”

Andrew Bishop, chair of Redruth Football Club Community Interest Company, said: “We are over the moon after announcing that we have secured a new lease allowing the club to continue to play at Clijah Croft. We are delighted we’ve got this across the line and would like to thank all the people who’ve worked so hard on our behalf to get to this point.

“We have a constructive relationship with Cornwall Council, and we look forward to working with them going forward – our aim is to improve the site, with better playing surfaces as well as a new modern community hub.

“We’re putting together a business plan to take Redruth United Football Club to the next level of football, and I’m excited about the club’s future which is underpinned by the new lease.”

Cllr Barbara Ellenbroek, Cornwall’s portfolio holder for children and families and Redruth south member, added: “We are thrilled in Redruth to see this community asset being taken on by the football club.

“It is a much-loved site, not just for organised sports but also for locals to take their exercise. Residents of the town are hoping that this event marks the start of it going from strength to strength.”

Meanwhile, the football club held a celebratory and fundraising event at Clijah Croft on Sunday.