Blues boosted by Club Preparation Funding

Football in Chester received a boost as Chester FC were awarded a grant by the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation.

The £500 grant from the Foundation’s Club Preparation Fund will help Chester FC to prepare their buildings to safely reopen in line with Government guidance around hygiene and social distancing, and The FA’s plans for a ‘phased return’ that were announced on 18 July.

The Club Preparation Fund follows the £7m of investment awarded to 2,900 organisations through last month’s Pitch Preparation Fund, also delivered by the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation.  This is enabling over 9,000 football pitches to be made match-fit, and is benefiting over 33,000 football teams.

Speaking about their funding success, Jeff Banks, Fan Engagement Director at Chester FC, said: “We are really pleased to receive this grant from the Football Foundation, which will enable us to ensure the safe reopening of the stadium and facilities for supporters, volunteers and staff.

“There is a lot of work to do to get ready for the return of football but we are making great progress and look forward to being able to welcome back our fans to matches soon in line with Government and FA guidance.”

The Football Foundation is a charity funded by the Premier League, The FA and the Government, through Sport England.