424 pitches in the Berks & Bucks area are set to be enhanced with improvements after a £289,130 investment set up by the Premier League, the FA and Government’s Football Foundation.
The Pitch Preparation Fund, which was set up in support of the game, after clubs around the country have faced difficulties in what are unprecedented times and challenges because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is providing grants to clubs that have lost out on normal revenue streams during this difficult period and helping them to get their pitches ready for when it is safe to play football again, following government advice.
As a result, £289,130 has been awarded to 121 clubs and organisations. This will allow 424 football pitches to be made match-fit, benefiting 1221 local football teams.
Wokingham & Emmbrook and Binfield are among the 121 clubs that will benefit from the scheme. The Sumas will see their pitches at Lowther Road kept in good shape before they return to action in Hellenic Division One East after an impressive 2019/20 season.
The Moles pitches at Hill Farm Lane will also receive the same treatment, meaning that their pitch will be ready and prepared when they are able to return to competitive action in the Hellenic Premier Division for the 2020/21 campaign after they also enjoyed a superb season in 2019/20, but were unable to be awarded with promotion after the decision to deem the season ‘null and void’.
The Football Foundation also received an increase of 176% in its regular facility grant applications during May, compared with April. So many more football sites will be improved over and above those receiving Pitch Preparation Fund grants.
Robert Sullivan, Interim Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “This new investment into Berks & Bucks will provide crucial support for football in the area.
“Our national game is a proven driver of mental and physical health benefits, so it’s important local pitches are match-fit in the event that the Government announces it’s safe for the game to start again.
“That is why we’ve worked with the Premier League, The FA, the Government and Sport England to set up the Pitch Preparation Fund. These 121 grants we’re announcing today will help ensure 424 pitches across Berks & Bucks are in a good condition when the time comes.”
Jonathan Wood, Head of Delivery, at Berks & Bucks Football Association, said: “It is fantastic to see that over 120 clubs within the Berks & Bucks area have successfully applied for this fund.
“The Football Foundation’s Pitch Preparation Fund has come at a crucial time for our clubs, providing them much needed resource to ensure their pitches can continue to be worked on in preparation for the new season. We look forward to working with them moving forward to ensure that football within the area is played on good quality pitches.”
The grants awarded will help with essential maintenance works toward grass pitches, including vertical decompaction, slitting, over seeding, fertilising and weed killing, as well as routine preparatory works such as grass cutting and the setting out and line marking of pitches.
For artificial surfaces, eligible works include deep cleaning, overmarking and FA pitch testing.
