Easington Sports land FSIF stadium grant

[FF News]

The Premier League through the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF), supporters of the Football Foundation, and the largest funder of non league football in the country, recently announced a grant of £19,960 to Easington Sports Football Club.

This award will enable Easington Sports, who play in Division One of the Hellenic League, to install a mini grandstand with 56 seats, hard standing around two sides of the pitch and a much improved car park and fence to enclose the football pitch further. The changes represent the first phase of a whole series of improvements.

Funded with £5.2m each year from the Premier League, the FSIF is the country’s largest provider of grants towards projects that help improve the comfort and safety of lower league football grounds in both the professional and amateur game. These improvements range from new football stands and turnstiles to floodlighting and improved provision for disabled supporters.

Richard Meadows, who is overseeing the ground grading improvements said: “We are delighted with the support received by the Premier League through the FSIF and from parents and players within the club who have managed to raise the money required to make the changes. We have been working tirelessly over the last two years to develop Easington Sports into a football club for the community.

“We set out to offer opportunities for young people to enjoy their football and to progress into the non-league football ladder at the end of youth football. Whilst it is always possible to develop new teams, without the help we have received from the Premier League through the FSIF, the improvements to the ground to enable the club to progress would not be possible and we certainly would not be able to continue with our development plan.

“We are also very grateful to Hawkins Construction for their help and support during the application process. Hawkins Construction have agreed to build the stand for Easington Sports and to manage the first phase of improvements which are set to be completed by the end of February, weather permitting.”

Peter McCormick OBE, Chairman of the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, said: “We are delighted that Easington Sports and Social Club have been awarded a grant from the Premier League, through the FSIF, to carry out extensive ground improvement works at their Addison Road home.

The new stand, fencing and car park upgrade will make a significant difference to the experience of players and fans alike, something that the Premier League is committed to improving across the country. It is vital that clubs should be able to progress competitively through ability and success on the field of play, not be hindered because of unsatisfactory facilities. I very much look forward to seeing the works completed.”

Source: Easington Sports FC

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