(L-R) Billingshurst FC Chairman, Kevin Tilley, District Councillors Amanda Jupp and Nigel Jupp, Sussex County FA Designated Safeguarding Manager, Sandra Redhead, Billingshurst Parish Councillors, Barry Barnes and Gary Commins

Funding enables Billingshurst to make safety improvements

New facilities unveiled thanks to Football Stadia Improvement Fund

New pitch perimeter fencing and security gates have been installed at Billingshurst’s home ground to improve safety for everyone at the club on match-days. The new facilities were unveiled recently (Wednesday 20 March 2019), prior to a game against Brighton & Hove Albion’s Under-18s team.

After netting a £17,931 grant from the Premier League, via the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF) - the sister organisation of the Football Foundation, work began at Jubilee Fields in July 2018.

The investment has allowed Billingshurst, who play in the Southern Combination Football League Division One at Step 6, to install new perimeter boundary fencing and a spectator railing surrounding the pitch. The new fencing ensures that the club continues to maintain the requirements of Grade G of The FA National Ground Grading Criteria.

Billingshurst was established in 1891 and currently operates three senior sides and a thriving junior section, with teams running from Under-8s through to Under-16s.

In 2016 Billingshurst were awarded a £70,723 grant from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund to install a new 100-seater stand, hardstanding and floodlights at Jubilee Fields.

Kevin Tilley, the Chairman of Billingshurst said: “We are delighted to be able to complete our ground improvement project which enables us to continue to maintain the requirements of Grade G of The FA National Ground Grading Criteria. We are extremely grateful to the Football Stadia Improvement Fund and the Premier League as without their support we would not have been able to complete the project.”

Peter McCormick OBE, Chairman of the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, said: “It’s brilliant news that funding from the Premier League has helped Billingshurst to undertake this project. The safety and enjoyment of football fans is a vital part of the matchday experience and improvements made at Jubilee Fields will certainly contribute towards this.

“The Football Stadia Improvement Fund channels money from the Premier League into improving stadia for lower league clubs across the country. The work at Billingshurst is just one example of how this investment is improving provision for players and fans.”

For further information about the Football Stadia Improvement Fund please contact the Football Foundation:

Football Foundation
T: 0345 345 4555
E: enquiries@footballfoundation.org.uk

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