Grants to improve football pitches

FOOTBALL pitches across a district will be improved thanks to grant funding.

North West Leicestershire District Council has secured £25,000 in funding from the Football Foundation and has invested £10,000 for equipment to boost pitches, including at Coalville Town FC.

A Pitch Improvement Programme inspection completed by Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland FA showed actions were needed to improve the overall pitch quality at Coalville Town, allowing the district council to apply for a maintenance equipment grant on its behalf.

The funding will go towards a mini tractor and a new drainage system, which will help to clear surface water from the pitch, promote better grass coverage and keep matches running through the winter.

Councillor Andrew Woodman, spokesman for community services, said: “Funding from the Football Foundation has provided us with a great opportunity to invest in highquality equipment to keep our sport pitches across the district in great condition all year round.

“We hope that by improving the quality of pitches, it will transform the football experience and encourage more people of all abilities to take up the sport.

“The grounds maintenance team has now been trained and we’re looking forward to seeing the results once the team get started on their new maintenance plan.”

Glyn Rennocks, chairman of Coalville Town, said: “We’re really impressed with the district council’s dedication to improving the quality of our pitch and securing the funding for the new equipment which will help us to reach the required pitch standard.

“The better the pitches you play on, the better football you play so we’re hoping it will help to attract new some new players and bring more of the community together – which is important now more than ever.”