A FOOTBALL club in Cornwall is launching a crowdfunding campaign in order to raise funds for a new access road to their ground. 

Mousehole AFC launched the crowdfunding campaign on Thursday, November 9, with the aim to alleviate congestion caused by match-day and camping traffic in the neighbouring village of Paul.

The club have set an ambitious target of £100,000 to be met over a period of five weeks.

Anyone who's ever been to watch the team play will know that getting to the ground is something of a challenge.

Falmouth Packet: Map of the proposed new roadMap of the proposed new road (Image: Supplied)

 The journey takes you along narrow country lanes, often having to let tractors pass, through a picture-postcard village and then along the bumpy and potholed approach road to the ground. It's a narrow lane that's only just about wide enough to accommodate a team bus.

Up until now, it's been part of the club’s charm, but as Mousehole progresses up the leagues, the club feel it's time to change up and get more professional. 

The situation has also become very disruptive for neighbours in the village of Paul, as every other Saturday all of the match-day traffic comes through their quiet residential area. When the club car park fills up, fans often park along the lane causing more annoyance.

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The new access roadway, for which the club already possesses planning permission, will connect the B3315 near Sheffield directly to the football ground and the campsite. The land has been gifted to the club by a neighbour who is also a keen supporter.  It’s hoped that the funds raised will also cover the cost of redeveloping the parking area. The club is pledging to plant new trees to replace any removed during the road building. 

In addition to the football club, Mousehole also run a campsite so in the summer season the lane takes on the additional camping traffic. 

Falmouth Packet: Mousehole AFC from the airMousehole AFC from the air (Image: Supplied)

In addition to removing traffic from Paul, they hope this will also allow for more accessible routes to the club and village, both for supporters and for emergency vehicles.

Club Chairman Deryk Heywood said: “The success of the club, and what’s happened here, has created a lot of people in cars, buses, caravans and bikes coming to this place. And they come here because they like what’s going on. And we’re aware that this is causing problems for our residents. So we’d like to help sort that out"

Anyone who'd like to donate to the crowdfunder can do so by visiting: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/mouseholeafc