Mr Twigg was the club’s guest of honour at a half term engagement day where the club hosted sessions for local school children as part of its FA coaching commitments.

Widnes FC now has nearly 40 junior teams, girls and boys and a First Team playing at Step 4 in the football pyramid - eight promotions below the Premier League, and four below the National League - but currently has no official home to play out of.

Directors at the club have major plans and investment ready to go to build a modest, enclosed pitch on Dundalk Road, Widnes, that matches its ambitions to be an established, self-sufficient semi-professional outfit.

At present, Widnes FC rent directly from Halton Borough Council and play at the DCBL Stadium, home to semi-professional Rugby League side Widnes Vikings, and the training base to Everton Women. Current arrangements for youngsters include a hybrid of games from Saints Peter and Paul High School fields and Dundalk Road.

Proposed works include the redesign of existing clubhouse, provision of floodlighting, parking, fencing, two stands accommodating 300 with 150 seated and 150 standing supporters, ticket office, turnstile, provision of disabled access and major pitch improvements to the outlying pitches at the King George V Recreation Ground.

The Whites have played almost exclusively at the stadium since 2012 but now find itself struggling to support the demands of its community and junior section.

Ian Ross, Widnes FC Chairman, said: “We are committed to bringing a community football facility to Widnes that would establish a real base for our whole club, which includes a massive following from our junior section.

“Our current arrangements are far from satisfactory for our players and impact our finances and the sustainability of the club.

“We have investment and contractors ready to build the stadium within a matter of weeks but we need the support of all the relevant bodies, including Sports England, Football Foundation, Liverpool County FA, Sports Development and Halton Borough Council.

“We have the FA behind us and we feel we’re building something really special for the community. To have Derek Twigg MP here today is a real milestone for us. The plans are real, our investment is real, our commitment to the town is real, we just need that engagement from the relevant bodies.”

Widnes FC plan to host a series of engagement days, similar to this week’s half terms sessions where residents and local people can view the plans, CGIs and hear from the people who will make the ground a reality.

During the visit Mr Twigg, gave the club his full backing on their development plans and congratulated Widnes FC and all their volunteers and children.

He said: “I have to congratulate Widnes FC on what has been achieved as a club, a club that is fully embedded in the community and would leave a big void if it hadn’t delivered what it has so far.

“I have witnessed at first hand the tremendous efforts of its 50 volunteers, scores of young footballers and its ambition to develop a home base and facility that will fully cater for its growing needs in Widnes.

“Over 700 young people playing football, being healthier, learning new skills and developing key relationships and teammates is something that I fully endorse.

“The club has ambitious plans both on and off the pitch and the development of Dundalk Road, breathing new life into the old corporation building and the area has my full support and backing.”