A MASSIVE £1.2-million bid will be made to the Football Association this autumn in an attempt to net desperately needed new sports facilities in Tavistock's Crowndale Valley.

The bid will involve a wide-reaching partnership between West Devon Borough Council, Tavistock College, Crowndale Recreation Association and other sports clubs in the area.

It would link the drive to create more football pitches and better facilities at Crowndale with the provision of a new, rubber-crumb all weather pitch at Tavistock College.

The £1.42-million project was agreed by the borough council's strategic development committee at its meeting in Tavistock on Tuesday.

Cllr Dick Eberlie said: 'We need one complete scheme that co-ordinates all the elements. We must also demonstrate community support and

involvement.

'I personally urge most strongly that the clubs work together with us to achieve this scheme.

'We have it almost within our grasp — we have to work as one, with great energy, determination and commitment to achieve this package.'

Cllr Eberlie said the bid, if successful, would be vital for the Tavistock area and urged all sports clubs and primary schools to be involved.

'This is not just for a few committed football players — it's for young people in the whole south of the borough,' he said.

Cllr Margaret Garton said: 'If all the clubs work together it's a win-win situation, there are no losers.

'I think it's very important for all the clubs out there to know that in this bid, they are being treated even-handedly.'

Cllr Ted Sherrell said: 'At last we are getting somewhere, which is most pleasing.

'I have always thought the borough council has a key role to play in getting this moving forward and I warmly welcome this.'

David Inman, deputy chief executive, said the council would play a pivotal role in pulling the 'major' bid together over the next few months.

He said it seemed the best way forward to achieve better facilities.

Mr Inman said: 'I can't give you any guarantees. You have to be mindful of the fact there will be other bids. We should not assume we will necessarily be successful, we really have to write the bid in the most persuasive way we can.'

Crowndale Recreation Association, which has already secured FA funding for mini-soccer pitches at Crowndale, is to put around £40,000 towards the bid.

Jan Bayliss, CRA secretary, said: 'We really welcome the combination of bids — it has our total support.'

She said the CRA had battled for years to secure improved sports facilities for the area, but warned the next few months would be 'crucial'.

John Simes, Tavistock College principal, said: 'This is a tremendous step forward. It's a bold and important initiative which is hugely welcomed by the college.'

He paid tribute to the 'first class' work put in by borough council officers in bringing the interested parties together, and to the CRA's fundraising efforts over many years.

Robin Fenner, Tavistock Football Club chairman, said anything that helped to provide quality recreation and leisure facilities, available to all, would be welcomed by the club.

'Tavistock has been starved of facilities for far too long,' he added.

The sports package comprises £220,000 worth of local funding from the borough and county councils, the CRA and Tavistock College, with an FA bid of £650,000 for soccer facilities and £550,000 for an all-weather pitch.

The amount sought would be reduced by £200,000 if the college secures New Opportunities Funding, for which a decision is expected soon.