People living in Sutton-at-Hone and surrounding areas are set to benefit from fresh investment into local football facilities.

FC Sutton Dynamo have been awarded a grant from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation, to significantly upgrade their facilities and equipment at Parsonage Lane.

The Football Foundation is the UK’s largest sports charity and exists to improve the experience of playing football for everyone, by championing fair access to quality facilities. 

Grassroots football matches and training cannot take place at the moment due to the COVID-19 outbreak and will only restart when it is safe to do so following government advice but this funding is great news for local football in the meantime.

This grant will enable FC Sutton Dynamo, which gives over 120 local children the chance to play football each week to improve their pitches and facilities.

Players will be able to enjoy all year round training with the new flood lights which will represent a significant improvement in the all parts of their coaching experience. The club will also be investing in ‘roll out’ permanent goals for all age groups which is a much needed facelift to the pitches not to mention a more professional feel to the whole facility.

FC Sutton Dynamo worked with the Football Foundation and the Kent FA to secure a £7,000+ grant towards the project.

Lee Champion, Chairman of FC Sutton Dynamo, said: “As a small non-profit organisation, in a rural village, this grant will make a big difference to our facilities and have a significant impact on the 100+ children associated with the club. And for that, we thank The Football Foundation and all involved in securing these funds

Robert Sullivan, Interim Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “We know the huge benefits playing regular football can have on individuals’ physical and mental well-being.  That’s why we’re committed to transforming the face of grassroots football facilities in this country.  It’s therefore very welcome news to hear that this funding will support FC Sutton Dynamo in developing these facilities for their local community. 

“Working with our partners – the Premier League, The FA, government and Sport England – we will be investing in over £1bn worth of local facilities across the country over the next decade.  We believe we can transform lives and strengthen communities by unlocking the power of pitches and this is another project that brings us closer to that ultimate goal.”