BOLTON, Bury and District Football League (BBDFL) are looking to build their own indoor and outdoor sports facility as part of a long-term plan to become the best junior set-up in the country.

New chairman Gary Russell included the ambitious project as part of a list of key objectives that he hopes will further develop what is already one of the UK's most successful and innovative leagues.

"My vision is that at some point in time, maybe in the next three to five years, we will have our very own indoor facility, surrounded by artificial and grass pitches, to serve the local community," he said.

"It is something the town does not have and something we believe will take the league to the next level.

"While the facility is a long-term project, a conversation has already started and is continuing between the league, the council and the FA about how we will go about delivering it."

The 57-year-old chairman of Mossbank JFC has replaced Warren Barlow at the head of the BBDFL after being elected by members, while Chris Rees has been voted into the pivotal role of general secretary. Rees will take the lead on the league committee, which delivers the operational side of the BBDFL's activities, and also continue his duties as referee secretary.

The pair take charge at a key period in the league's history, following recent decisions to turn it into a limited company and apply for charitable status, which has been granted by the Charities Commission.

Russell will act as executive of a new board of directors, which will control the league and company governance, and also double up as trustees of the charity.

He chaired the first board meeting this week, beginning the job in earnest of delivering on three key objectives.

"This appointment is an honour and a privilege," he said.

"To be voted in as chairman is something I am very proud of.

"I am under no illusions about the commitment, energy and passion needed to deliver our objectives, which are to turn the BBDFL into the best football league in the country, create the best football experience and environment for our young footballers to develop and deliver a local, self-managed sporting facility for the benefit of the local community.

"We are not coming at this with a clean sheet of paper.

"The BBDFL is already a thriving league and I would personally like to thank each and every person who has helped us get to this point.

"If no changes were made, it would still continue to be one of the best junior football leagues in the country, but we want to broaden those horizons, and it will be the job of the new board to decide how we go about getting there."

For a while at least, there will be little outward sign of change for the 10,000 players and 1,500 volunteer coaches in the 720 football and futsal teams that compete in the league's set-up, which spans from under-7s up to u21s.

But Russell believes the BBDFL's move to charitable status is a significant step.

"For those involved in running the league, it provides a massive challenge in terms of living up to the increased levels of governance expected of us, both in terms of our finances and otherwise," he said.

"As an organisation we will be monitored much more closely than ever before, but I see that as a big positive as it gives everyone connected to the league increased assurances that it is being run correctly.

"At the same time, it will give us many more opportunities for growth, with access to different areas of funding, as well as things like gift aid.

"What we need to do is make best use of those opportunities while also meeting our key challenges, which include staying up to date with the highest levels of safeguarding to protect our young footballers, while also attracting more and more referees, especially from our younger population, as we grow.

"We also need to understand the true financial implications of going ahead with our plans to build our own community sporting facility, while also highlighting the right people and organisations that can help us to deliver it."