DOUBLE DELIGHT IN HANDSWORTH AS TWO LOTS OF FUNDING ARE PRESENTED BY CLIVE BETTS MP

Clive Betts, MP for Sheffield South East, was on hand to present Handsworth Junior Sporting Club and Handsworth Parramore FC with two lots of funding from the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund (PL/FA:FF) and Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF) recently.

The double funding will act as a catalyst for the club’s infrastructure development plans to consolidate Handsworth Junior Sporting Club at the Oliver’s Mount site, whilst enabling the Handsworth Parramore FC senior team to also return to the ground.

Handsworth Junior Sporting Club were presented with a PL/FA:FF cheque for £500,000, which will allow the club to install a new state-of-the-art floodlit third generation (3G) artificial grass pitch (AGP). Alongside the funding for the new all-weather pitch, Handsworth Parramore FC were awarded a £100,000 grant from the Premier League through the FSIF, to build a new two-storey changing pavilion incorporating a seated stand.

The proposed new 3G AGP will replace an existing real grass pitch, which was prone to waterlogging. The pitch will enhance Handsworth Junior Sporting Club’s long-term financial situation and allow them to deliver several community initiatives. The new changing pavilion and seated stand will enable Handsworth Parramore FC, a Step 5 side, who play in the Northern Counties East League, to cement their position at Oliver’s Mount and improve the facilities available to players and fans alike.

Clive Betts, MP for Sheffield South East, said: "It’s fantastic news that Handsworth Junior Sporting Club and Handsworth Parramore FC have received these two grants from the Football Foundation and Football Stadia Improvement Fund, respectively.

“Having top class facilities readily available is vital for the future development of grassroots footballers across the country. I’m delighted that players in Handsworth will benefit from the new 3G pitch and changing pavilion, which have been made possible thanks to funding from the Premier League, The FA and the Government, via Sport England. Investment in community football is crucial to encouraging more people to participate and it is particularly pleasing to see this happening in my own constituency.”

Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “Since 2000, the Football Foundation has awarded 362 grants worth £12.6m across Sheffield and Hallamshire County FA towards grassroots sports projects worth £26.4m and it is great to hear that Handsworth Junior Sporting Club will be the latest beneficiary.

“Funding from the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund, delivered by the Foundation, will support the club in developing fantastic new facilities for the local community. Made possible by investment from the Premier League, The FA and the Government, via Sport England, the Fund is supporting the grassroots game by improving access to high-quality football facilities across the country.”