There are big plans down at Cotlandswick but they go further than just producing a successful football team.

London Colney continued their pre-season schedule with games against St Albans City and Hendon following clashes with Biggleswade Town and Cheshunt.

But while manager Ken Charlery has one eye on events on the pitch, he and co-owner Gareth Davies are planning big things for the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division club – all with the idea of creating something the whole of London Colney can be proud of.

Charlery said: “When we came here nothing had been done with the facilities.

“So we’re doing what we need to do to progress the club and help the community, which is what it is all about.

“It’s not about me or Gareth Davies, it’s about the community of London Colney getting a home and getting a football club that everybody can be proud of.

“We’ve got plans to do other stuff but we have to wait to see if they get approved.

“But then we go forward and we turn this place into a nice little set-up for the whole community,”

The plans have started with new changing rooms being built and a redesign of the clubhouse.

And the hope is a new stand and training pitches will follow in due course.

“The idea is to get more people coming through the turnstiles,” said Charlery, “and to give the youth team better facilities to play on.

“That’s our aim but you know what it’s like, Rome wasn’t built in a day but we going to strive to do everything we’ve set out to do and hopefully we get planning permission to do it.

“When we do we’ll crack on and then the first team will have a home forever, the youth team will have a home forever and the community will get a lovely football club.”

On the pitch the Blueboys suffered a 4-2 reverse to Saints while Hendon were held to a 2-2 draw.

The manager said: “Results don’t mean anything at this stage, it’s more about fitness levels and people getting to know each other and the system.

“That’s what we’re doing and once August 4 comes we’ll be ready.”