Tadcaster Albion FC's Director of Sport Danny Gore, Chairman Andy Charlesworth and Coach Nelly Sanderson
AFC Darwen and Tadcaster Albion FC have each won £25,000 worth of building materials for club improvements after taking part in the first round of the Buildbase £100k Transfer Deal 2019.
The renovation programme for clubs playing in the Buildbase FA Trophy or Buildbase FA Vase competitions saw AFC Darwen and Tadcaster Albion FC successfully pitch their projects against four other finalists at an event held at Wembley Stadium connected by EE.
The product bursary includes building, electrical and hire products, which will be provided by local Buildbase branches working with the clubs.
The judging panel from Buildbase, the sponsors of The Non-League Paper's 2019 National Game Awards, and The FA selected Tadcaster Albion FC because the bursary will enable the club to renovate its facilities that were devastated in the floods of 2015. The project includes developing external toilets as well as creating a hospitality area, first-aid room and junior storage facility.
Joint winners AFC Darwen will upgrade and improve its changing rooms to create new opportunities in the community such as developing women's football and local BTEC Sport Programmes.
Tadcaster Albion FC's Chairman, Andy Charlesworth said: “This means that we can maintain our facilities and position in the league, so we can stand proud in our local community. Supporting grassroots football is really important. Buildbase has championed an excellent programme, which is really important to clubs like us, enabling us to pitch for much needed refurbishment.”
Dr Mike Vizzard, Commercial Manager at AFC Darwen said: “This means everything to us. We are now able to take the club to the next level to enhance the opportunities for the people of Darwen. We have already started to talk to Buildbase in Preston about the materials we need and are confident that their knowledge can guide us.”
Ian McConville, Procurement Director at Buildbase said: “Tadcaster Albion was decimated by floods, so this club really needs investment to provide basic facilities at a local level.
“AFC Darwen is steeped in heritage. They told us stories of when they were at the top of their game dating right back to the 1870s, but right now they are in need of some pressing changes to their facilities which are limiting their potential.
“Our £100k Transfer Deal is brilliant for grassroots football, the clubs, volunteers, players and fans. When you see the extent of time and commitment volunteers give up, we're very proud to do as much as we can to help these clubs locally.”
The Buildbase renovation programme has been running since the builders' merchant became the title sponsor of the FA Trophy and Vase in 2016. So far, building materials worth up to £200,000 has been given away. Previous winners include Hanwell Town, Cleethorpes Town, Cheadle Town and Needham Market.
The final round of the £100k Transfer Deal 2019 has reopened for applications with a further £50,000 product bursary available. Updates can be found by following @BuildbaseUK on Twitter #Buildbase100KDeal, at Buildbase.co.uk or in branch.
