Bristol Rovers enjoyed a four-day pre-season training stay at Stoke Rochford Hall last month.
Situated six miles south of Grantham, the country house hotel came to the attention of the Football League Two side after club chief scout Stuart Gray had Sunday lunch there. During his visit, Stuart had a chance meeting with Stoke Rochford’s leisure club manager Seb Firman who has recently overseen the installation of state-of-the-art fitness equipment in the hall’s newly refurbished gym.
Seb said: “Stuart was at the hall for Father’s Day treat and I just happened to chat to him about football. I mentioned the fantastic leisure club we have here and how great it would be as a training base.
“He was so taken with the facilities, as well as the hotel and its beautiful surroundings, he took the idea back to his chairman and he loved it; so they brought 22 players and seven members of staff back for the training break.”
Rovers are also looking at now using Stoke Rochford for overnight stays when playing teams in the East Midlands area.
Following the success of the club’s stay, Stoke Rochford is now aiming to attract more professional football league clubs to stay at the hotel.
For more details about Stoke Rochford Hall, visit www.stokerochfordhall.co.uk