Mel Stride MP has thanked The Football Foundation for issuing 57 grants to clubs in his constituency in 2020. The charity, jointly funded by the Premier League, The FA, and the Government, provided:
- 28 Facility Grants, e.g. for club changing room maintenance or improvements.
- 11 Pitch Preparation Fund grants to help get playing surfaces match-ready again following the COVID-19 restrictions.
- 16 Club Preparation Fund grants to help prepare facilities like clubhouses for the safe return of football, e.g. by providing social distancing signage and hand sanitising stations.
- 2 Matchday Support Fund grants to help national league clubs and women’s professional clubs safely return to action.
Mr Stride said:
“Our local football clubs are valued parts of their communities and their benefits extend well beyond the enjoyment and the challenge of the sport. Football is good for physical and mental health and gives young people a constructive activity to engage with. I also know many older people, often in rural communities with few other activities or groups, enjoy attending matches to spectate and socialise. I am very grateful to The Football Foundation for helping to get games on between lockdowns and for helping to maintain local club facilities.”
The portion of funding coming from central government is part of a £550 million commitment the Government, made in its December 2019 election manifesto, for community football facilities over the next decade.
For more about the Football Foundation visit www.footballfoundation.org.uk.