A FOOTBALL club called on one of its famous sons to open its brand new clubhouse.

Peter Taylor, whose big break in football came as a fresh-faced teenager with Canvey Island Football Club, cut the ribbon at the Gulls’ new £300,000 facility.

The former England, Southend and Crystal Palace player joined an array of current and former players and managers, along with fans keen to catch a glimpse of the new building.

The ambitious project saw the club build a brand new bar and lounge area, which can be hired for functions, and work was also carried out to extend Canvey’s changing rooms and add new turnstiles.

The club aims to open the building for community use, and was able to call on a £147,386 grant from the Premier League, through the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, and £150,000 from Veolia North Thames Trust.

It replaces a prefab building dating back to 1947.

Reflecting on how the club has evolved since his playing days, Taylor believes it could provide the club with an ideal platform from which it can build.

He said: “It is a wonderful facility and has changed so much since my days here.

“I still like to come back, and I have so many happy memories here, and I’m just so glad to open the new clubhouse.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play and manage all over the world, and having had such a wonderful array of experiences through football, it really has made me appreciate just how important lower league infrastructure is.

“New clubhouses like these ensure people are given the opportunity to enjoy their football in safe and more comfortable surroundings.”

Rod Hall, Director of Developments at Canvey Island FC, said: “Our vision set out by our chairman of the football club’s community integration has really kick-started now, with the completion of our fantastic clubhouse.”

“It’s absolutely great having Peter back here to open the new facility.”