GRAVESEND & Nothfleet's growing esteem within semi-professional football has been recognised with the award of the club’s first international match.

The Fleet are to host the Under-19 women’s international between England and the Republic of Ireland at Stonebridge Road on Friday, March 19, in what officials regard as a huge dividend for the substantial amounts spent on their once problem pitch.

Chief executive Glenn Aitken said: “Everyone is thrilled by the Football Association’s decision to award us this international.

“It is an accolade that will really put the club firmly on the map and though many people have worked hard to rid Gravesend of a poor pitch image, none has worked harder than our groundsman Peter Norton."

Mr Aitken added: “Because the match is being played on a Friday with a 2pm kick off, the FA are planning to contact schools, both locally and throughout Kent, in the hope of attracting plenty of school children.”