Following negotiations with the town council over the last two years, the Rockets' is taking over the ownership of Eastfield Pavilion and surrounding fields in Cramlington to give the club its first ever forever home.

With space for two pitches, changing rooms, kitchen and a small event hall, it means the Rockets can control use of the site, making it the first rugby league club in the North East to have its own home.

"We're very excited to be able to announce this" said chair, Jeff Ball, revealing the news at the Minis and Juniors' End of Season Awards last night (12th February).

"A huge amount of work has gone in to make the possible, not least by Steve Beaty jr, and we are excited to give our members a home they can call their own."

Taking ownership of the site is the first step in a multi-year project that we see the pavilion refurbished, renovated and expanded into a top quality sport facility and a community hub accessible to all the local people of Cramlington.

"The site definitely needs a good lick of paint and updating" continued Ball "but through the support of the club's members and community, we are hoping to make some immediate changes to make it feel more welcoming.

The plan from here on is we are looking to invest half a million pounds into the site in the coming years. We are already discussing with various funders about raising the first tranche of that investment but would welcome any introductions from our members to friends or companies they know that could help us financially or in goods and services in the coming months and years."

To facilitate this fundraising, the club is now a registered charity, Rockets Community Foundation and will be revealing more details of the plans in due course.

If you wish to volunteer to freshen up the site, or can help in any other way, contact the club via social media, email info@cramlingtonrockets.co.uk or speak to Steve Beaty.