Northamptonshire football team asks for 'all hands on deck' with renovation of social space
Raunds Town Football Club, based at Kiln Park, is looking to the community to help renovate the social bar in time for the 2026 World Cup.
The club has put a call-out to local businesses, tradespeople and residents who can offer help to bring the space ‘up to scratch’ with a ‘Helping Hands’ weekend from Friday, May 1 until Monday, May 4.
Once completed, the social room and bar can be used by locals to watch sports, socialise in the main bar and use the venue room for discos, parties and other celebrations.
Local MP, Lee Barron, has also written to local businesses asking for support.
The letter says: “The club’s newly formed social committee has already begun putting in tremendous effort with limited resources to revitalise the clubhouse.
"The ambition is to get the building ready in time for this summer’s FIFA World Cup and to make it a welcoming space for families across Raunds.
“To make this vision a reality, we are reaching out for the support of the Raunds community, importantly our local business community for any support they are able to offer. This could be through sponsorship, materials, financial support or collaboration.
"No level of support is too small and will help the club make a step forward to creating a valuable shared space for Raunds for future generations to enjoy.”
Raunds Town Football Club - ‘The Shopmates’ – was founded 80 years ago, amalgamated from other local teams at a meeting in the town's Temperance Hall in May 1946.
Kiln Park has been the club’s home since the early 1990s, with the original clubhouse being built by the local community, having been a popular venue for evening entertainment.
Recently, however, it has become largely unused and as a result is in need of renovation, which the club’s newly formed social committee is keen to deliver ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Steve Dorks of the club’s social committee said: “Raunds Football Club is held in trust for the people of Raunds and we want to it return to the heart of the community.
"We are all working hard to get the sports bar up to scratch before June but we’re reaching out to local people to ask if they can lend a helping hand.
"People can bring along tools, skills or even just pop along to put the kettle on, no special skills are required, we just need all hands on deck to get the space ready.”
Currently, volunteers at the club have brought the main hall of the clubhouse back into use, with a recent Abba tribute night and a Motown and Northern Soul evening among the events taking place.
Local food spot Swedish Kitchen recently opened a space in the car park of Kiln Park, which will be open during the weekend, meaning quality hot food is available daily.