FOOTBALLERS and families are celebrating the opening of a new pavilion for Oxford’s Barton estate.

The Barton Pavilion was officially unveiled on Sunday 40 years after the original building in Barton’s Village Ground was built.

Oxford City Council contributed towards the £350,000 building, along with Barratt Homes, which gave cash as part of an agreement to redevelop the former Fox pub in Edgecombe Road.

Oxford United chairman Kelvin Thomas cut the ribbons during a five-a-side fun day held by Barton United, which uses the ground.

Barton United chairman Mick Beesley said: “Everyone’s been very complimentary about the new facilities because it’s clean, it’s tidy, it’s really well put together and it’s a nice place to be.

“It’s an amazing difference because a lot of the time in the past people were put off just by the dilapidated state of the old building.”

It will be home to teams including Headington Amateurs and includes changing and toilet facilities, two officials’ rooms, a small function room and a bar.

Among those getting to grips with the new pavilion was Jack Gifford, nine, who was playing during the fun day.

He said: “It’s good, better than it was before. I like everything about it.”