NEWMARKET TOWN will be upgrading their Town Ground home after receiving a grant of almost £100,000 from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund.
The FSIF, funded by the Premier League and supporters of the Football Foundation, have provided funds to a number of Non-League clubs and Newmarket are the latest to benefit.
The Eastern Counties League Premier side have been awarded a grant of £96,610 which will allow the club to carry out major improvements on their ground.
They plan to install a new changing room, new perimeter fencing and footpaths and new floodlights. This work is part of a wider project which also includes the replacement of their existing natural grass pitch with a 3G synthetic playing surface.
Funded with £5.2m each year from the Premier League, the FSIF is the country's largest provider of grants towards projects that help improve the comfort and safety of lower league football grounds in both the professional and amateur game.
These improvements range from new football stands and turnstiles to floodlighting and improved provision for disabled supporters.
Newmarket Town secretary Graham Edwards, who is acting as the project co-ordinator said: “We are extremely grateful to the Premier League through the Football Stadia Improvement Fund for their generous financial support for this very exciting project.
“We will be installing the very latest LED floodlights which will reduce our carbon footprint and save on our running costs.
“We will also be one of the first football clubs in this country to have a cork-filled 3G pitch which meets the highest specification for an artificial playing surface.
“When the work is completed in July we will have a unique modern facility which will be of enormous benefit to everyone involved in our club.
“We have also reached agreement with Sport England to open up this superb facility to the wider community in and around Newmarket so everyone involved in football locally will be able benefit from this huge investment.”
Peter McCormick OBE, chairman of the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, added: “I would like to congratulate Newmarket Town FC for their hard work in securing the grant for the extensive ground improvement works at their Town Ground home.
“The development will provide a real boost to the club and local community by improving the match day experience for players and fans alike.
“The Premier League's investment into the works for Newmarket Town is a prime example of their commitment to improving grass-roots facilities across the country. I wish the club well and look forward to seeing the works complete.”
