The club is appealing to the public to help it raise the funds to replace its current pitch at Downham Road, which has served the club for almost a quarter of a century.

Ely’s six adult clubs, 70 junior members and over 100 5-a-side footballers use the pitch every week, meaning its surface has become worn, bumpy and often waterlogged.

Senior figures from the club including President Trevor Hopkinson and chairman Gemma Mott are drawing up fundraising ideas as they believe the pitch could soon become unplayable.

If the surface goes below 8mm then it is deemed unplayable, and there are patches where it is less than that already.

“We’re part of the 12 per cent of clubs that actually owns its pitch, so we’re very lucky, but it has come to the stage where we have to make the decision to either replace the pitch or spend £3,000 a year for repairs.”

The pitch, which was laid in 1993, is used almost every day by various clubs and organisations from across the city and is sometimes used for up to 40 hours a week.

The need for a new pitch was first identified back in 2007, but since then the club has struggled to find even a fraction of the funds needed to cover a replacement – with the cheapest pitch being quoted at an eye-watering £145,000.

The club is already in discussions with Sport England regarding possible funding, but is looking out into the community to raise the remainder of the much-needed cash, starting with an online Just Giving page.