A NEW soccer centre is set to become a family hub of the sport when it opens its doors in September.

Under the guidance of its new owners, the Basingstoke Soccer Centre – formerly Powerleague – in Brighton Way, Brighton Hill, is set to build upon the site’s previous reputation.

As previously reported by the Gazette, the site closed in October last year after Powerleague chose the option not to renew its lease as part of the companies restricting.

However, the community rallied round to find a solution to make sure the facility remained in use for football, and now directors Nick and Sunnie Murphy, Tom Lodge and Ryan Kearney are set to welcome teams back to the site.

Mrs Murphy said: “Our son Liam plays for the GOL Elite Academy who used to train there and when we heard that Powerleague was closing Nick and I decided we wanted to do something.

“Being part of a football mad family we know how important the sport is for people and how well loved the site was, so long with Tom we looked at what we could do to make sure we create a safe place for families to come play and watch football.”

The directors have so far refurbished the site and in doing so have doubled the capacity of the function room at the facility.

Mr Lodge added: “We are trying to give the whole place a top to toe refurbishment.

“It is a massive project to take on but the response we’ve had from previous users has been really positive and they are just eager to get back in and playing football again.

“We are really excited about it being back as much as everyone else.”

The men’s league is set to return to the Basingstoke Soccer Centre on September 1, with an offical open day scheduled to take place latter in the month.

To keep up to date visit basingstokesoccercentre.co.uk.