Newton Aycliffe’s football club has received a cash boost towards its ground improvement programme.
Northern League first division side Newton Aycliffe FC has been awarded a £1,500 Pitch Preparation Fund grant from the Premier League, The FA and the Government’s Football Foundation.
The Pitch Preparation Fund was set up in support of the game, which is currently facing unprecedented challenges because of the Covid-19 outbreak.
The fund is providing grants to clubs that have lost out on normal revenue streams during this difficult period.
Aycliffe’s funding will enable the club to prepare their football pitch so that it is match-fit for when it is safe to play football again, following Government advice.
The cash boost will go towards the club’s Ground Improvement Programme fundraising scheme launched earlier this year, which has to date raised just over £1,500 – meaning the club is now £3,000 towards its £5,000 total target.
Donations can still be made online by clicking here.
Chairman Allan Oliver said: “This grant from the Football Foundation is a tremendous help to get us ready for next season.
“We have been working hard to improve the pitch and I am delighted that we’ve been able to secure this extra funding.
“We’ve also raised over £1,500 through a GoFundMe campaign thanks to the generosity of our fantastic local community.”
Aycliffe can use their grant towards to help pay for the cost of materials, work such as verti-draining, chain harrowing, rolling, over-seeding, fertilising, weed-killing, and routine preparatory work such as grass cutting and the setting out and line-marking of the pitch.
Clubs and other organisations are also being given access to the Football Foundation Groundskeeping Community.
This is a free online resource the Foundation developed with The FA and the Grounds Management Association, containing advice and guidance.
Anyone in Newton Aycliffe can sign up at https://thefa.hivelearning.com/groundskeeping.
Robert Sullivan, interim chief executive of the Football Foundation, said: “This is a vital grant to help Newton Aycliffe FC get their pitch match-fit.
“The Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation exists to help provide quality infrastructure at the lower-levels of the game.
“Pitch Preparation Fund grants like this one are giving a helping hand to clubs across the country to get their playing surfaces ready for when the game is allowed to begin again following government advice.”
The Football Foundation is a charity funded by the Premier League, The FA and the Government, through Sport England.
