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Football club's road project saved by Prince William

Cameron Weldon
BBC News, South West
PA Media Prince William is wearing a dark green shirt. He is looking away from the camera and smiling. The background is out of focus but has greenery and trees in the background. PA Media
Prince William said it was a "privilege" to be able to help a local community group

A Cornish football club's decades-long desire to replace the pothole-ridden road leading to its ground will go ahead following backing from the Prince of Wales.

Mousehole AFC previously failed to raise the reported six-figure funds needed to build a new access road for Interiora Trungle Parc.

Prince William saw a newspaper story about the club's struggles and set up a consortium of businesses to fund its plans, describing it as a "privilege" to help.

Club vice chairman Deryk Heywood said a replacement road had been mooted at least 48 years ago and it was an "absolute dream" to see it happen, while project lead Simon Taylor said without the royal's involvement it "would not be happening".

A picture taken by a drone of a green, rural landscape with lots of fields and a small village in the distance. The sea is also in the distance. There is a football pitch and cricket pitch at the centre of the picture.
Mousehole AFC hope the works will be completed in time for the start of the new football season in August

The club said Prince William had read an article in the Observer in October and got in touch to explore whether the Duchy of Cornwall could help.

Mr Taylor said he thought the first email from the palace was fake.

"My mind was blown, I was at work and I had an email and I thought it was a scam," he said.

"I called the number and I spoke with Prince William's private secretary, and within two weeks I was having a meeting and the project got well under way."

The club said the new road would provide direct access from the B3315 to the ground and reduce congestion in the nearby village of Paul.

It would also create opportunities for sport and community events and serve both its seasonal campsite and neighbouring Paul Cricket Club.

Mr Heywood said: "When I was a player here 48 years ago the committee talked about getting a road. For it to actually come to fruition is just an absolute dream."

The club's vice president Brian Richardson said the project had all but "petered out" until the prince got involved.

He said some coaches had to park a mile out of the village and players had to walk to the ground before games.

Mr Taylor said the club's supporters had also been "put off" by the road, which had damaged cars, including his own.

A close-up of a man leaning on the side of the football pitch in the sunshine looking directly at the camera. He is wearing a navy Gillet with the Mousehole AFC logo on it. Underneath is a plain white t-shirt. There is a green football pitch in the background with some covered stands in the distance.
Mr Taylor said the club wanted to have a "greater involvement in the community" which he said can only be built if "you have the accessibility"

Prince William said he was looking forward to seeing the finalised road.

"I have seen time and time again that community hubs are essential in providing the spaces for people to come together, to build stronger communities and to allow people to thrive," he added.

Work is set to begin this week and the club said it hoped it would be finished by the start of the new football season next month.

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