A COVERED stand, all-weather pitches and “multi-purpose” accommodation are all planned for a huge playing field site in Mill Hill it was revealed at the official opening.

The Camden Community Football and Sports Association (CCSFA) took control of the Chase Lodge site in Page Street on April 1 from Camden Council.

They have pledged to regenerate the dilapidated and disused pitches and are aiming to raise £4m to develop the 16 acre site.

On Friday they celebrated the handover with a training session for around 100 eight to16-year-old players, who had a chance to meet Arsenal full back Gael Clichy.

The French international also handed over a cheque to the CCSFA for £20,000 from the Premier League, the first contribution to the fundraising total.

The chairman, Diane Culligan, said the first project would be to fix things like fencing, nets and goals, as well as refurbishing an old cottage to use as changing rooms.

She told the Times Series: “We have already started using the facility, but there is a long way to go. We want to get local kids involved, if they were not it would not be a good idea.

“Obviously the season's coming to an end now so it will not be a busy time, but we want to make use of the place. We will be thinking of ways for people to enjoy it.”

The CCFSA is a partnership between Hampstead and Kentish Town Football Clubs, who both struggled to find decent facilities in their borough to help youngsters train and play football.

Chase Lodge will be used by Hampstead, which runs youth teams, to help the 600 boys and girls under 16 to train and play regularly.

Ms Culligan added: “It's an important facility for the people of Camden, but we also want to get local teams to come and use it as well.”

Kentish Town, which runs a semi-professional senior team in the Spartan South Midland League, is looking to move to the site from nearby Copthall Stadium to have a permanent home.

Fixture secretary Kevin Young said the move would be some way off yet as the FA regulations mean they need a facility with covered seating for at least 50 people around their main pitch.

He added: “We have an average crowd of about 40 at the moment, so it's not going to be some massive stadium. Some clubs at this level really struggle to meet the criteria set by the FA.

“We are also developing a link with Hampstead to bring more young players through to senior level so they don't leave football altogether.”

Plans for the site include the multi-purpose accommodation which will be used for complementary therapy, off-field coaching and “other community activities”.

Some local councillors and residents have expressed concerns about the plans to develop the green belt land.

Players from Hadley Rangers Under 14 team also had the chance to train with Gael Clichy, playing a game where they had to run the length of an area and throw the ball for their team mate to head past the opposition.

Peter Rosemin, 14, who played against Gael, said: “That was really good fun, quite tiring though.

“It's good they're redoing these pitches as there aren't many facilities for kids to play football in Barnet.”