LEEK TOWN TO PITCH IN FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL GRANT APPLICATION

LEEK Town are upgrading their Harrison Park facilities after receiving investment to change their pitch.

Blues, who play in the Northern Premier League, are installing a new 3G surface at their headquarters.

The transformation will not only benefit Neil Baker’s first team, but is seen as an investment for the wider community.

Leek Town worked with the Football Foundation, Staffs FA and Staffordshire Moorlands

District Council to secure a grant of more than £500,000 towards the project.

Chairman Jon Eeles said: “The announcement of this grant comes after several years of hard work by all parties, and is a significant moment for the club and local community.

“The existing grass pitch has limitations in terms of usage, but a new 3G surface will greatly increase the access for new players and groups within the local community.”

Nicola Kemp, Head of Service Commissioning at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, added: “We’re delighted that our partnership approach to seeking funding for these new facilities in Leek has been successful. “The installation of the new 3G surface represents a real step-change in the facilities available to both Leek Town and the wider Moorlands community and we very much welcome this excellent news.”

Robert Sullivan, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said: “This grant award to Leek Town towards installing a new 3G surface 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.

“It’s therefore very welcome news to hear that this funding will support Leek Town in developing and installing a new artificial turf pitch at Harrison Park for their local community. “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.”

CHRIS TRAVERS