The University of Chichester has strengthened its community links in Bognor Regis in a unique partnership with Predators Football Club.

Predators FC has more than 250 male and female players registered, playing in a range of adult and youth teams. Up to now, the club has not had a permanent home and teams played their games at numerous pitches across the Bognor Regis area.

However, thanks to a partnership with the University of Chichester, Predators FC will now be able to use the sports pitches and pavilion building as their playing/training base, while providing an improved facility for University students.

Paul Harris, Predators FC chairman, was joined by Dr Sarah Gilroy, Executive Dean at the University of Chichester, on 3 September at a special training session to meet some of the young footballers who will benefit from the use of the pavilion and the pitches.

Mr Harris said: “We have always strived to create a strong community feel in the club, but that has been difficult because our teams have played in different location. The only way we felt the community spirit could be improved was by having our own home, and thanks to the University, we now have one.

“The pavilion has needed a lot of maintenance carried out, including repairs to its roof. The pitches have also required some work as it has been some years since they were regularly used. All of the volunteers at the club have mucked in to help out, as there was a lot of clearing out to do in the building. We would not have achieved it without the support of South Coast Skips who offered their services for free, supplying the skips to take away the rubbish, and now we are nearly in a position where we can truly call this our home.

“We are delighted to have reached an agreement with the University, which has the potential to last for the next 10 years. We are a big club in the local area, and we are proud to be associated with the institution.”

Dr Gilroy said: “By working closely with the officials at Predators FC, I’m pleased we have come to an arrangement where under-used University land has been put to good use, giving a large football club in the local area a new home.

“We are keen to continue strengthening our relationships with the Bognor Regis community, and through this partnership with Predators FC, there are hundreds of new people using the University and learning more about what we want to achieve in the town.”

At the official opening, the club was also presented with its FA Charter Standard Community Club award by Keveena Mosen, County Development Officer with the Sussex FA. The club reached the required standard in the summer, but there is now a facility in which the plaque has been placed for all members and visitors to see.