Funding boosts fan experience as crowds double at Tamworth

Tamworth are reaping the rewards of rapid promotions from the Southern League Premier Division Central to the National League, regularly drawing crowds of more than 2,000 to the Lamb ground.

But with bigger crowds come bigger challenges for the Lamb, Tamworth’s home ground since 1934/35, as facilities began to be put under increased strain.

Mark Maybury, a club official who first watched Tamworth in 1980, explains: “The crowds

were doubling and there was a lot of pressure on the clubhouse. Being able to dip into a fund has provided a great experience for our fans.”

◄LAMB-TASTIC: Tamworth supporters enjoy matchday .

Tamworth have received over £200,000 in grants from the Premier League Stadium Fund since 2020 – most recently to build a new fan zone in the far corner of the ground. They have further draw on the fund to increase their financial sustainability and improve the matchday experience through energy-efficient LED floodlights and a refurbishment of the clubhouse after snow damaged the roof in 2021.

“The ground is used 364 days a year,” Maybury says. “The floodlights had been here since the 1960s, second hand from Scarbrough Athletic. They were the old fashioned bulbs, very expensive to run. The switch to LEDs has provided a lot of benefits – they are obviously a lot cheaper to run and we’re not lighting the whole of the town!

“The Premier League Stadium Fund is enhancing the football experience… If you’re looking at a project, the Premier League are going to provide you with 70 per cent of the funding. There’s only 30 per cent to make up – and you can do that.”