Village Football Scores Again

[18/11/04]

By Dan Webber, Community Newswire

Rural football in Somerset hit the target today thanks to £57,000 funding from the UK’s largest sports charity.

The Football Foundation (FF) windfall will allow the Chilcompton Recreation Project to upgrade the village’s recreation ground, providing six new pitches, a six-room changing pavilion and a multi-use games area.

Links will be created with local teams and nearby schools will use the facilities for training sessions, after-school coaching clubs and competitive games. Opportunities to play the national game will also be offered to local disabled players.

Chairman of the Recreation committee, Graham Pickford, said: “We are all delighted that the Football Foundation has shown such confidence in Chilcompton.

“The tender documents for the construction of the pavilion have just gone out to local builders. The committee is confident that 2005 will see the facilities that the village needs being realised.”

FF chief executive Peter Lee welcomed the latest boost for Somerset football.

He said: “As our national game, football needs to reflect society and I am particularly delighted this project will be reaching out to players who may not have had the opportunities to play the game in past. The Chilcompton Recreation Project is a great example of what can be achieved to bring sport to more people.”

Funded by the FA Premier League, the Football Association, Sport England and the Government, the FF is dedicated to revitalising the grass roots of the game, constructing modern football facilities and developing football as a force for social cohesion and education in communities.