Putting up the goal net

Sussex football nets £1 million in grant funding

Successful grant applications from Sussex clubs

Football in Sussex has received a cash injection of £975,222 following several successful grant applications from clubs across the county.

The grants towards improving pitches and facilities have been awarded since February 2020 by Sport England and the Football Foundation.

Following a harsh winter the Football Foundation - charity of the Premier League, The FA and Government - launched their Storm Relief Fund to help clubs affected by Storms Ciara and Dennis, a number of clubs from Sussex took advantage of this Fund.

At the end of March, numerous Sussex clubs benefited from Sport England opening a new Community Emergency Fund to help clubs experiencing short term financial hardship or the ceasing of operations due to COVID-19.

More recently, the Football Foundation announced their Pitch Preparation Fund, 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. The Fund was hugely popular with £199,000 awarded to 97 Sussex clubs so 203 pitches can be made match-fit, benefiting 739 local football teams.

In addition to those three temporary funds the Football Foundation have the, still open for application, Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund and the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF).

The Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund provides grants for building or refurbishing grassroots facilities, such as changing pavilions and playing surfaces for community benefit. Clubs from across Sussex have seen applications granted funding from this pot since it opened in February.

The FSIF is designed to improve stadium safety and enable clubs to satisfy The FA’s ground grading requirements. Since February a number of Sussex clubs have utilised the Fund.

Paul Saunders, Development Manager at the Sussex County FA said: “It is great to see the football funding bodies react so quickly and positively to support grassroots football in difficult times.

“It is also very pleasing to see so many of our clubs taking advantage of the opportunity to apply for the various grants, which will improve the provision of football across the county!”

For further details and application information for Football Foundation funds please contact:

Football Foundation
T: +44 345 345 4555
E: enquiries@footballfoundation.org.uk

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