Chester FC score with funding success

Chester FC have been awarded a £1,500 Pitch Preparation Fund grant from the Premier League, The FA and the Government’s Football Foundation.

The Pitch Preparation Fund was set up in support of the game, which is currently facing unprecedented challenges because of the COVID-19 outbreak.  The Fund is providing grants to clubs that have lost out on normal revenue streams during this difficult period.

The funding will enable Chester FC to prepare the Deva Stadium pitch so that it is match-fit for when it is safe to play football again, following Government advice.

The club can use the grant to help pay for the cost of materials, work such as verti-draining, chain harrowing, rolling, over-seeding, fertilising, weed-killing, and routine preparatory work such as grass cutting and the setting out and line-marking of the pitch.

Clubs and other organisations are also being given access to the Football Foundation Groundskeeping Community.  This is a free online resource the Foundation developed with The FA and the Grounds Management Association, containing advice and guidance.  Anyone in Chester can sign up at https://thefa.hivelearning.com/groundskeeping.

Paul Bodman, Director at Chester FC, said: “This is brilliant news and we really appreciate the support of the Football Foundation and its funding partners, particuarly in the current climate.

“We are blessed with one of the best playing surfaces in non-league which is down to the great work of our groundsman Mike Barrow and the volunteers who support him. This grant will help Mike keep the pitch in top condition ready for when football returns.”

Robert Sullivan, Interim Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “This is a vital grant to help Chester FC get their pitches match-fit.

“The Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation exists to help provide quality infrastructure at the lower-levels of the game.  Pitch Preparation Fund grants like this one are giving a helping hand to clubs across the country to get their playing surfaces ready for when the game is allowed to begin again following government advice.”

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