An application has been approved for the redevelopment of a football club into a community sports hub. The Russell Martin Foundation (RMF), a Brighton-based charity which supports people through football, is hoping to replace Southwick Football Club’s facilities, in Old Barn Way, with a floodlit 3g football pitch, changing rooms and a clubhouse containing a bar and kitchen. The charity wants to offer health , wellbeing and teaching classes in the new building as well as exercise groups and workshops.
The application said: “The proposal aims to secure the site’s continued long-term viable and sustainable use as a leisure and social asset which will be of benefit to the local Southwick area and the wider community in West Sussex . A Russel Martin coaching session (Image: The Russel Martin Foundation) “The local area will benefit through access to sport, health/leisure and flexible use of social/events spaces available at the site. “The proposal also aims to promote uptake in sport and increase the local provision/access to high-quality recreational and social facilities and outdoor spaces.
” RMF is backed by Russell Martin, a former professional footballer for Norwich City, Rangers and Scotland, who is the current manager of Southampton FC. The foundation is a not-for-profit organisation which he created to give something back to the area where he was born and raised. READ MORE: Popular brand to open second store in city As owner of the site, Adur District Council re.