UNTIL now prolific goal machine Marco Gabbiadini has been Poppleton's most famous footballing export.

Gabbiadini, who learned his trade playing for the York village's junior club, has since plundered 273 league and cup goals as a professional and racked up 780 appearances.

He has been involved in million pound moves to Crystal Palace and Derby after starting out as an apprentice with the Minstermen back in 1985.

Gabbiadini, now 35, also played for Sunderland, Birmingham, Oxford, Stoke, Darlington and Northampton before joining current club Hartlepool in the summer.

But Poppleton's celebrated footballing son returned to where it all began to help the club mark their award of a £59,455 grant from the Football Foundation.

And do not be surprised if the 330-strong junior club proves a breeding ground for more future football stars as Poppleton will use the money to build three new junior pitches and two mini soccer pitches at their excellent new Millfield Ground - a site that was bought by the £60,000 raised by the club itself over six years and a council grant.

There are also plans to develop a cricket pitch on the site.

Three sportsman dinners raised £22,000, with World Cup winners Nobby Stiles and Alan Ball and former Leeds United hard man Norman Hunter the guest speakers.

Among the biggest attractions on those evenings were David Beckham's Manchester United and England shirts, which contributed £1,200.

Two summer balls and a race night also helped Poppleton near their £60,000 target.

The club had to fulfil certain criteria to qualify for the Football Foundation Award in areas such as girls' football, qualified coaches and the provision of coaching and referee courses.

Poppleton's new home will also host girls only football festivals, develop links with local primary schools to provide extra curricular playing opportunities for youngsters of all abilities and introduce holiday courses and tournaments.

The 10-acre site will boast a car park and changing room with facilities more suited to youngsters than the previous Community Centre venue with its two senior-sized pitches.

Poppleton Juniors were formed 30 years ago with "one or two teams in one or two age groups" according to club spokesman Peter Shaw, but the village now provides football for youngsters between the ages of five and 17 with some age groups fielding more than one side.

The teams play in the Mitchell League, York Minor League and the Ryedale League on Sundays and train on Saturday mornings.

Poppleton's current under-15 side have won the York FA Cup or the League Cup in each of the last three years and last season's under-11 team won the Ryedale League.

Girls football is also flourishing all the time, with a new side forming in each of the last three years, and the club now fields teams for Saturday afternoon matches at under-12, under-14 and under-16 level.

The Football Foundation, the UK's largest sports charity, is dedicated to revitalising the grass roots of the game, constructing modern facilities, developing football as a force for social cohesion and as a vehicle for education in communities throughout the country.

Funded by the FA Premier League, the Football Association, Sport England and the Government, the Football Foundation is the nation's largest sports charity with £79m already invested into the heart of football.

A club spokesman said: "We would like to thank the Football Foundation for this immense contribution towards our project costs. These facilities will benefit children of all ages and backgrounds and will take a lot of strain away from the current facilities at the Community Centre.

"With the backing of the Football Foundation, the North Riding County FA and York Minor League we intend to make the facilities the best in the area."

Updated: 10:27 Saturday, December 06, 2003