Some good news has been announced for community sport in Surrey. Sutton United FC have been awarded a grant from the Football Foundation, which is funded by the Premier League, The FA and Government via Sport England, to construct a new changing pavilion at Collingwood Recreation Ground.
After netting a £491,063 grant from the Football Foundation, work will begin at the end of the current football season.
The grant will enable Sutton United FC to construct a new two-team modular changing pavilion, with spectator toilets and social space, to support the delivery of football at Collingwood Recreation Ground. There is currently no changing provision in the Recreation Ground for the teams to use.
David Farebrother, Chairman of the Board at Sutton United FC, said: "When Micky Joyce joined our board of Directors three years ago, one of the first things we asked him to do was pick up the reins on this project and drive it through to completion. It has not always been straightforward, so I'd like to thank Micky for having the vision and tenacity to see it through."Micky Joyce, Director at Sutton United FC, said: “I'd like to thank the team at the Football Foundation, including Stuart Lamb, for guiding us through the process and ensuring that we reached a successful outcome and especially Craig Low, who took the time to explain all of the steps to us and helped me to work logically through the bid.
“We would also like to thank the London Borough of Sutton and Mike Gilham of the Surrey County FA, who made it clear from the start that they considered this to be a high priority project and gave us their full backing. Also, huge thanks go to John Caudwell and Jennifer Williams from QMP project managers for efficiently processing the planning, design and building costs and to our Foundation consultant Simon Wood and grant manager Issie Collins.”Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “Since 2000, the Football Foundation has awarded 337 grants worth £12.2m across Surrey County FA towards grassroots sports projects worth £25.2m and it is great to hear that Sutton United FC will be the latest beneficiary.
“Funding from the Premier League, The FA and Government, delivered by the Football Foundation, will support the club in developing a new changing pavilion. Through this investment the Foundation is supporting the grassroots game by improving access to high-quality football facilities across the country.”- ENDS -
The club would also like to thank John James, Tony Henderson-Smith, Rob Hardy and Bobby Childs for the work they have put into this project over a number of years. The design has changed several times since John and Tony had the vision to kick-the scheme off and there were times when we thought it would never happen but we have a thriving community football section at Sutton, veterans'; girls; boys and disability football with the club established as the focus for community football in the borough and they all deserve to have good facilities.