PEOPLE living in Otley are set to benefit from fresh investment into local football facilities.

Burley Trojans FC and Prince Henry’s Grammar School have been awarded a grant from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation, to buy new roller goals at the Wharfemeadows Football pitch, improving local facilities for clubs all round.

The Football Foundation is the UK’s largest sports charity and exists to improve the experience of playing football for everyone, by championing fair access to quality facilities.

The grant will enable the newly formed Burley Trojans FC Senior Ladies Team, which plays in the West Riding County Womens Football League to launch their first season in partnership with Prince Henry’s Grammar School at the Wharfemeadows Playing Fields. Burley Trojan Senior Men’s Team will also be playing from Wharfemeadows this season.

Burley Trojans FC and Prince Henry’s Grammar School worked with the Football Foundation and the West Riding County FA to secure a £900 grant towards the goals.

Burley Manager Tony Gill said he was delighted with the new facilities at Wharfemeadows:

“It’s brilliant that we have new goals and changing facilities to start the next part of our journey in the league," he said.

"We are all extremely proud to be here and can’t wait to play our league games here. Massive thank you to our partners at Prince Henry’s Grammar School, the Football Foundation for the grant towards the goals and to Otley Town Council, who supported the redevelopment of the Pavilion.”

Faculty Leader for PE at Prince Henry’s, Dave Curtis said “It’s great to be able to work in partnership with Burley Trojans FC to get their new women’s team off the ground. This kind of partnership working is key to developing sport for everyone in our local area.”

Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “This grant award to Burley Trojans FC and Prince Henry’s Grammar School towards the purchase of new goals is great news for the local community.

“It will support people’s ability to play our national game locally and therefore help unlock football’s many benefits to physical and mental wellbeing. That’s why we’re committed to transforming the face of grassroots football facilities in this country.

“The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners – the Premier League, The FA, government and Sport England – support facility development projects like this across the country over the next decade to transform our grassroots game and unlock the power of pitches.”

Since 2000 the Football Foundation has awarded more than 20,400 grants.