The club hopes to develop their site, allowing more people to use their facilities throughout the year.

This includes inviting partner sports clubs to use their facilities, bringing new sports provisions to Great Harwood and the surrounding areas.

One such club interested in using the new pitch is the Lancashire Bombers, an American flag football team based in Oswaldtwistle.

The club, sponsored by Accrington business Langtec, is fully supportive of the bid.

Russ Bury, head coach of the Lancashire Bombers, recently attended a special meeting at Great Harwood Rovers to discuss the progress of the £1 million bid.

He said: “I’m here at a meeting to discuss our support for Great Harwood Rovers.

“We’re guiding an initiative moving forward to promote the sport.

“And I just want to thank everybody here for the ongoing support – and look forward to the new 3G facility.”

American flag football is a non-contact version of American football where players wear flags on their hips.

Tackles are made by pulling off these flags.

The Lancashire Bombers have two adult teams and a mixed under-17 team who compete all over the country in the BAFA (British American Football Association) League and Cups.

Since Flag Football was added to the 2028 Olympics, the Lancashire Bombers have seen an increase in demand for the sport.

Sarah Smith, an MP, also attended the meeting.

She said: “It’s really inspiring to meet with you today, Russ, and hear about the incredible work and the fast development of the sport.

“My husband’s a big fan of the NFL, and it’s great to hear how these opportunities through Flag Football for everybody to get involved, particularly for women, people who might have disabilities, and just the general inclusivity.

“And it wouldn’t happen without the support and the sponsors that we have involved.

“And I’m really excited about the potential of the future and how this partnership can come forward.”

Nigel Sutton, chairman of Great Harwood Rovers, said: “We’re delighted to have the support of Lancashire Bombers for our bid for a new 3G facility, and it will only widen the inclusivity on offer at our facilities.

“They are absolutely flying as an organisation, and we would be delighted to be able to help them reach their goals.”

Great Harwood Rovers have been part of the local community since 1975.

They are an FA Charter Standard Community Club, run solely by local volunteers for children’s grassroots football.

The club now comprises 27 teams for girls and boys ranging in age from under sevens to under 18s, plus a mini-league for four to six-year-olds, with more than 350 active participants.