More than 100 people gathered in the King’s Marsh Suite for the AFC Sudbury presentation dinner, recently.

Following the two-course meal, chairman Phil Turner reviewed the club’s season and thanked all involved. The first team finished third in Ryman North and reached the play-offs. The Under 21s/Reserves won the Thurlow Nunn First Division KO Cup.

The ladies came runners-up in their league & reached the Suffolk Women’s Cup Final. Awards were then presented to the First, Reserves, Under 18s and Ladies teams.

Meanwhile, the club has started installing an all-weather artificial surface on its main pitch, which will have the capacity to be used seven days a week.

The Ryman League outfit began laying its £350,000 Third Generation (3G) surface at its Wardale Williams Stadium home this week.

Installation of the pitch, which is created using synthetic fibres and rubbers to look, feel and react like grass, will take nine weeks to complete. The club will be the first in Suffolk to use a 3G surface on its main pitch.

Director Richard Instance said: “We are delighted to be finally installing the 3G pitch, which will take the club on to a new level.

“We could only use the old pitch up to two-times a week, due to problems such as water-logging and this meant some games had to be cancelled.

“The new surface will be able to accommodate seven days a week play no matter what the weather conditions.”

The new surface will be beneficial to the entire club, including its first, ladies and youth teams. It will also be used by its newly-established AFC Sudbury Academy. However, the 3G pitch will also provide a much needed sports facility for the entire community.

Demand for the facility is already proving popular and plans are already in place to establish a six-a-side football league and a walking football league.

The facility will also be used by local schools. However, there will also be capacity for wider community use with the pitch being available for hire.

Instance added: “We really want to encourage the wider public to come along and use the facility.

“During the week we will set up several pitches side by side across the surface, which means we will have the capacity to hire space to the general public.

“We would like to hear from local teams who need a training facility; those who just want a weekly kick about with their mates or maybe even groups who are considering setting up a mid-week league, all options are open at the moment. The local community will be fortunate to have such a fantastic facility available in the very near future.”

Anyone wanting to know more about the 3G pitch and its availability should contact AFC Sudbury on 01787 376213.