A community group has been given a national nod of approval for its role in growing local sport.
The SFA Legacy Award has spurred Carnoustie Panmure Football Club (CPFC) on in its appeal for more space in the town, as plans for a “multi-sport” venue await approval.
The club plans to spend almost £300,000 on facilities, starting with two new fields for rugby and football near the high school.
CPFC is the first club in the SFA’s east region to receive the award for providing a full structure for players, coaching and development.
A club spokesman said chairman Phil Hope and Andy Finlay visited McDiarmid Park to receive the award on Friday night.
“Last month saw the planning process for the new pitches at Shanwell Road start with a public consultation at the High School,” he said.
“There has been some opposition to the plan, with some locals claiming there are already enough pitches in the town.
“They couldn’t be more wrong. If we are to continue to grow and provide opportunities for locals to play the sport in the town we need more and better facilities.”
The multi-sport usage was necessary for the £200,000 from the Commonwealth Games Legacy Fund to be granted to the clubs.
“We now have a club that caters for the whole footballing community in the town,” Mr Hope said.
Two years of work to unite Carnoustie Panmure Youth, Carnoustie Panmure Juniors, Carnoustie YM and Monifieth Ladies finished in December.
Some 66 players are at the academy age group, including eight girls, 168 players are at youth level, including six girls, and 72 players are in the girls’ teams with adult teams rounding out a total of 65 adults, 220 boys and 86 girls.
The club believes the ideal scenario is two new 11-a-side pitches for the younger teams, conversion of Pitskelly Park into a venue for the academy and seven-a-side teams with 3G astroturf, and improvements to facilities at Carlogie and Laing parks.
Mr Hope added: “We’re just running out of space. We’re a victim of our own success.
“We’re working with Angus Council and Carnoustie Rugby Club to develop two new pitches adjacent to Carnoustie High.”