8thaug03

Friday 08th August 2003

Beckenham Town awarded grant
The Football Stadia Improvement Fund, supporters of the Football Foundation, and the largest funder of non league football in the country, today announced a grant of £86,136 to Beckenham Town Football Club.

This award will enable the club to revamp their Eden Park Avenue ground, installing a pitch drainage system and funding improvements to the boundary fencing and hard standing areas. The work has been vital to ensure the long term future of the club. During the last season there was a thirteen-week period when no matches could be played at the ground due to the poor state of the pitch. In addition the ground was also subject to vandalism because of the lack of adequate fencing. 

Over £45m has already been invested by the Football Stadia Improvement Fund since its launch in July 2000, funding lower league ground improvements throughout professional and amateur game, creating a safe and modern environment for fans and players to enjoy the game.

Peter Lee, Chief Executive of the Football Stadia Improvement Fund and Football Foundation, welcomed this latest funding initiative: "On behalf of the Football Stadia Improvement Fund I am delighted to be able to award this grant to Beckenham Town. A vibrant community team is vital for the future of football.

The Football Stadia Improvement Fund's aim is to revolutionise funding for the grass roots in the same way the professional game has been transformed over the last 10 years. It is vital for the survival of clubs outside the professional game that this investment continues. I pay a particular tribute to the hard work and dedication to all at the club for making this funding a reality."

The grant for Beckenham Town, follows a grant of £55,044 awarded to fellow Go Travel Kent League rivals, Thamesmead Town for improvements at their Bayliss Avenue ground.