Earlsfield FC are celebrating after being awarded a £1,500 Grow the Game grant, something that has attracted praise from England Manager Gareth Southgate.

The grant, which will provide a boost to grassroots football in the Wandsworth area, has paved the way for Earlsfield FC to form a new open age men's team in the area. This will be supported with several FA qualified coaches for the team. 

England Men’s Senior Manager and Football Foundation Ambassador, Gareth Southgate, said: “I am so pleased that Earlsfield FC has secured this Grow the Game grant. The club has worked very hard with the London FA and the Football Foundation to get more local people playing football so that they can enjoy the many physical and mental benefits that come with playing regular sport.

“Grow the Game is mainly funded by The FA and delivered by the Football Foundation. This is money that is flowing from the very top of the game down to the lowest levels, to help clubs at the grassroots to bear the cost of starting up a new team, whether it be for a new kit, pitch hire or sending volunteers on FA accredited coaching courses.”

Grow the Game is a £2.5m programme funded by The FA and the Football Foundation. It awards grants to grassroots football clubs that wish to create new teams, especially amongst under-represented groups. 

£1,500 is available to help FA-affiliated clubs with the cost of creating a new team, which might include the cost FA coaching courses; FA league affiliation costs; referees’ fees; first aid kits; and even football kit & equipment.

Matt Jackson, manager of Earlsfield FC, said: This grant, awarded from The FA and Football Foundation will really help in getting more people in the area playing football. Starting up a new club requires a lot of funding, so this will help ease us in and help build a foundation for years to come!

Article supplied by Matt Jackson