THE Premier League, the FA, the Government and Sport England have come together through their Football Foundation to launch a new ‘Pitch Preparation Fund’ in support of the game, which is currently facing unprecedented challenges as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.

The fund provides almost £10 million of financial support to those struggling to maintain their football pitches across the country.

The move will help to get clubs in a position to start playing football again when it is safe to do so, following government advice, and is estimated to benefit up to 4,000 grassroots clubs and organisations.

The fund is open to football clubs and voluntary organisations that maintain their own natural grass pitches and have at least 12 months’ security of tenure. Clubs with suitable tenure for a 3G artificial grass pitch are also eligible to apply.

Grassroots football clubs and organisations, FA National League System clubs from steps one to six and clubs in the FA Women’s Pyramid (tier one to five) that maintain their own natural grass and third generation (3G) artificial grass pitches, are among those eligible to apply for funding.

The funding will help eligible clubs with essential maintenance works and the application window is open until 9pm on Monday, May 25.

FA National League System and FA Women’s Pyramid clubs will be able to apply for a maximum of £1,500, while grassroots clubs will be able to apply for a maximum of £5,000.

Clubs that have already applied to the Sport England Community Emergency Fund for funding for pitch maintenance works or have recently received an ‘Enhanced Grass Pitch Maintenance Grant’ from the Football Foundation will be ineligible to apply.

For more information, contact Rory Carroll, Head of Communications, Football Foundation, on 07545 932432 or rory.carroll@footballfoundation.org.uk

You can also visit the link: https://footballfoundation.org.uk/news/football-comes-together-to-give-9-5m-boost-for-clubs