A NEW Ferry football team is looking to give the devastated town a new lease of life with its plans to create a new community hub.

New Ferry Rangers FC want to take over the existing underused youth club on Cornwell Close and transform it into a thriving centre offering an affordable gym, studio space, five-a-side pitches and a community cafe.

The idea is to make sure the youth club, which is currently only open a few hours a week for Taekwondo classes, does more for the community and opens seven days a week, offering more for young people.

The group has organised a meet-up on Saturday where the public can come and have their say on the plans, as well as make suggestions for the 1970s currently-dilapidated building.

Simon Crabtree, chairman of New Ferry Rangers FC, said: "We started this process 12 months ago as a discussion that something needed to be done with the youth club.

"It's under-utilised – only used a few hours a week and has been really neglected.

"Not many kids are interested in going there.

"It's an asset to New Ferry so we thought what can we do to improve it?"

The ideas are at an early stage, but it is hoped any income raised from use of the pitch will allow the club to subsidise gym fees for those who cannot afford it.

With the project having received support from the Bright Ideas Fund, work is due to start next year, if all goes to plan.

Mr Crabtree continued: "It can only be a positive thing for New Ferry.

"It will improve the well-being and health of people an area high on health deprivation.

"We want to make a facility where anyone in the community can come and get fit and healthy, as well as a vital new option for people here."

Bromborough councillor Warren Ward, who has given his support to the plans, said: "New Ferry Youth Club means a great deal to many people in this community.

"To me there is a great personal connection.

"My great grandmother started volunteering at the youth centre when it was first opened.

"Even my own parents met at New Ferry Youth Club and back in 2013 I was proud to have led the campaign to save it.

"This proposed development by New Ferry Rangers Football Club will not only enhance grass-roots football locally, but will provide a facility to help grow and support young people from far and wide, providing them with opportunities that at the moment they don't have.

"We need to move New Ferry into the future.

"This on top of existing regeneration plans is a major step forward.”

It comes over a year after a huge gas explosion devastated the Wirral town.

Wirral South MP Alison McGovern has also given her support to the plans.

On Monday, she tweeted: "I think this could be really great for New Ferry.

"Please share, and head over to the consultation if you are local. It is very important."