Football club awarded £1.1m for artificial pitch

A new artificial pitch will be built in Suffolk after a football club received extra funding to bolster grassroots sports facilities.

AFC Sudbury, formed in 1999, has been given a £1.1 million grant from the Premier League, The FA and the government’s Football Foundation.

The club, which is based at King’s Marsh, Brundon Lane, now plans to use the money to create an all-weather 3G pitch for its teams and the wider community.

Chairperson Andrew Long said: "After nearly six years of planning, everybody is so pleased to see this project coming into its final stages."

The long-awaited pitch will replace the club’s current grass alternative, which can prove unplayable during the winter months.

The site will also be able to be used by partner clubs, local and community organisations, schools, our grassroots and academy teams.

Bosses are also hopeful of being able to offer the facilities to those who need to improve their health or require rehabilitation sessions.

"We look forward to seeing the build process and being able to offer the additional facilities for the community to benefit from," added Mr Long.

"This has only been made possible by the professionalism and support of the Football Foundation and their grant.

"We are indebted to everybody who has helped make this project finally come to fruition."

The project has also been supported by an additional £165,000 from Babergh District Council and Belstead Ganzoni Settlement Charitable Trust.

Robert Sullivan, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said: "Good quality playing facilities have a transformative impact on physical and mental health.

"They play an important role in bringing people together and strengthening local communities.

"This grant award to AFC Sudbury towards developing a new 3G pitch is fantastic news for the community and will help give more people access to a great place to play."

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