BINFIELD FC is celebrating both on and off the pitch after announcing plans to make £315,000 worth of improvements to its Hill Farm Lane home.
Not only are the Moles flying high in the Hellenic Premier Division, sitting top of the table after three straight wins, but have now secured grants to significantly redevelop the ground.
This will include installing new changing rooms, a physio room for use by the club and local community, an extensive refurbishment of the clubhouse and improving accessibility for disabled visitors – as well as a new PA system.
“This project will transform the facilities here at Binfield Football Club, enabling us to better serve our playing and social members, supporters and visitors in the future,” said Andy Cotton, club vice-chairman.
“Binfield FC is a true ‘not for profit’ community football club whose core ambition is to provide first-class football facilities for all – this exciting project will enable us to continue building a better football club which the community can be proud of.”
This news only adds to what is already an exciting time for the local football scene, with neighbours Bracknell Town having already begun an extensive redevelopment of their Larges Lane ground.
While Wokingham and Emmbrook recently received the planning permission needed to bring Lowther Road up to scratch and finally make a permanent return to the borough.
The tireless work of those behind the scenes at Binfield began to yield the rewards when Binfield Parish Council agreed to provide £17,000 to help with the project.
Big news for the club this morning as significant grants enable major ground improvements – https://t.co/ReuIoPGe32 pic.twitter.com/FxgyLoPwVK
— Binfield FC (@Binfieldfc) August 16, 2016
Bracknell Forest Borough Council, meanwhile, have not only extended the Hill Farm Lane lease, but also contributed £45,000 to the cause.
But the club, celebrating its 125th anniversary, has since revealed further grants of £185,627 and £68,374 respectively from both the Premier League and The FA Facilities Fund and Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF).
This has come through working closely with the Berks and Bucks Football Association (FA).
“Thanks must go to the Premier League and The FA Facilities Fund and the Football Stadia Improvement Fund for their investment,” added Cotton.
The facilities fund aims to improve the experience for regular players, as well as attracting new ones to the game, with the FSIF providing contributions towards improving the the comfort and safety at lower league grounds at both professional and amateur levels.
Paul Thorogood, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said: “Congratulations should go to Binfield Football Club for working with the Berks and Bucks County FA to secure the Premier League and The FA Facilities Fund grant.
“Since 2000, the foundation has awarded 250 grants worth £9.6m across Berkshire towards grassroots since projects worth nearly £69.7m with money generously provided by our funders: The Premier League, The FA and the Government, via Sport England.”
