Coltsscore!

The local youth team, which has more than 300 young and amateur footballers on its books, received the grant through the Cash Back for Communities programme, which gives money seized from criminals to community groups.

The huge sum will be used to build a state-of-the-art complex including a 3G pitch, which Colts boss Stewart McKenzie feels will help to consolidate his club’s efforts and abilities.

He said: “Getting this funding is fantastic for everyone at the club. We’ve been going for a long time now and it’s been tough.

“We’ve found it hard to get funding, but we’ve also worked hard to get where we are and we’ve managed to break through now.

“We drafted a business case, which we put forward to the council and I think that really kick started things for us. It’s a great time.”

The local team give boys and girls from the age of five-years-old and upwards the opportunity to train and play football and are the only one in Cumbernauld to have the SFA Quality Mark Community Award.

Stewart sees the funding as a fitting reward for the many players and volunteer staff at the club.

He added: “This is a fantastic boost and I feel it’s pretty deserved after all we’ve done.

“We have so many players and teams and this will help to consolidate our efforts and hopefully expand to around 500 members.”

SNP MSP Jamie Hepburn said: “I am delighted that the Colts have been awarded such a significant sum, which will be a major boost not just to the club but to the whole of Cumbernauld.

“This is one of the biggest awards in the scheme and is a huge vote of confidence in Cumbernauld Colts.”