BRAYBROOK'S Skinner Reserve was once described as a "shaved armpit of a ground".
It was a place where VFL and AFL teams would go toe to toe in preseason interclub and intraclub matches against a backdrop of scant facilities.
It was where Western Bulldogs' fans had their first look at a young rookie by the name of Chris Grant.
Fast forward to 2012: the goalposts have gone and the Western Bulldogs no longer play their preseason matches there.
Even the code has changed. For a time national powerhouse Sunshine George Cross Soccer Club called the ground home. It played its first game there against a South Melbourne team led by Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskas.
It's now used by Maribyrnong Greens and Maribyrnong United soccer clubs.
The reserve itself is undergoing a gradual transformation, and last week the state government contributed $650,000 for redevelopment of the pavilion, while community groups raised $100,000.
Stage one of the $1.9million project includes the pavilion works, extension of the community centre with player and umpires' change rooms, toilets, and a multipurpose space for up to 150 people, with a kitchen and kiosk.
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