Glasgow City Council has agreed to lease an area of land to a community group hoping to provide a sports complex after a 13-year battle for the facility on Priesthill.
The 25-year lease means the trust now has a better chance of raising the £900,000 cost of the project.
Willie Smith set up Hillwood Social and Recreational Community Trust in 1999 with the aim of building a multi-purpose sports complex.
Former football pitches in Priesthill Road, which are no longer used, were identified as an ideal location.
Mr Smith said: "It has been badly needed for many years.
"This is a serious attempt to do something about health and fitness for local people as well as providing something for the elderly and disabled.
"There is little for young people to do in this area because there are no community centres left – they were all closed."
Mr Smith set up Hillwood Boys Club, which has more than 300 members aged four to 21, in 1966.
He added: "The new pitches will be a phased project and the first phase will be in partnership with the Scottish Football Partnership set up by the SFA to look at potential projects that could enhance the facilities for the sport in areas of high unemployment and deprivation.
"Priesthill is one of the worst areas of deprivation in the UK."
The trust is planning to build a clubhouse with changing facilities, kitchen and lounge, to develop three five-a-side synthetic football pitches and upgrade existing seven-a-side and 11-a-side grass pitches.
A report to councillors said: "The offer of this lease will enable the trust to apply for funding to construct a new sports facility on the site as part of the ongoing regeneration.
"Subject to being granted the lease, the trust has to date secured funding from Priesthill Barratt Community Trust and Persimmon Homes totalling £300,000. The city council, Glasgow Housing Association and other charitable trusts and foundations are also target sources, as is Sportscotland."
Aileen Colleran, the city council's executive member for communities, said: "Glasgow City Council wants to empower our local communities. We believe by listening to our communities, we can ensure the best decision possible is made which will meet the specific needs of a local area.
"I am delighted, therefore, that Hillwood Social and Recreational Community Trust will be able to make their plans for a multi- purpose sports facility a reality."
vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk
