Premier League and FA pitch in £500,000
ACHARITY has been given £500,000 by the Premier League to improve grassroots football in Stockport.
The Seashell Trust, based at Stanley Road, Cheadle Hulme, has been handed the grant to build an all-weather pitch.
Cash has come from the Premier League and FA Facilities Fund and will be used for a fullsize, third generation artificial pitch.
And the benefit will not be limited to the charity as the pitch will be used by the community with grassroots clubs given access.
Mark Geraghty, principal of Seashell Trust, said: “This generous grant means that we can deliver first class sports facilities that are accessible to all, enhancing the daily lives of our young people as well as benefiting the wider community.
“It takes us great strides towards our aspiration to become a centre of excellence for inclusive sports. Our thanks go to the Premier League, the FA Facilities Fund and all those who supported us during our application.
“We look forward to encouraging more people to get involved with football, whatever their level of ability.”
The Seashell Trust worked with the Cheshire FA to secure the grant and will now have Cheadle and Gatley FC as its main partner club.
The club will base its 30 teams from the site and run the charity’s football development programme.
Andy Scott, chairman of Cheadle and Gatley Football Club, has thanked the charity.
He added: “To have all of our age groups training at a fantastic facility is an amazing opportunity.
“This new facility will enable the club to continue providing grassroots football training and coaching to over 300 local boys and girls in a safe environment each week.”
Planning permission for an artificial pitch was secured by the charity in September 2015.
The council agreed with conditions including that landscaping was used to minimise the visual impact on the area and hours of use were limited to 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 9pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
It is hoped the pitch will attract new youngsters to the game.
Paul Thorogood, chief executive of the Football Foundation, who administer the fund, said: “Congratulations should go to Seashell Trust for securing this grant.”