By Luke Pawley
Barwell Football Club are appealing for donations towards a new 3G pitch at the UK Flooring Direct Stadium.
The club are looking to raise £50,000, in addition to grants that have already been received, to fund the community-focused project.
Based on a sports complex in the heart of the village – which also houses facilities for indoor bowls and cricket – the football club was founded in 1992 but is on a site that has been in Barwell for over 100 years.
The overall project is expected to cost in the region of £700,000, with a substantial grant expected from the Football Foundation.
“We’re looking to build something that will become the heart of our community, not just for the village of Barwell, but Hinckley, Earl Shilton and the surrounding villages as well,” said Dave Laing, the club’s chairman.
“Hopefully we’ll have it in place by next summer and we’re predicting that more than 1000 people will benefit from the facilities per week. So that’ll be local football clubs, schools, youth groups and the like.
“I’d like to publicly thank, once again, every party who has backed the project so far and those supporters, old and new, who would like to donate to this new crowdfunder we’ve launched.”
Barwell’s new 3G pitch has the public backing of their local MP, Dr Luke Evans, the Leicestershire and Rutland County FA and local businesses who will contribute to the project through sponsorship initiatives.
“Leicestershire and Rutland County FA will work with the clubs to ensure that the site is accessible to the local community, including monitoring the programme of use, pricing policy and management models for the site,” said Caroline Taylor, the facilities manager at the local FA, in her letter of support for the project.
In a public letter addressed to Laing, Dr Luke Evans MP said: “It was great to hear both about the history of the club and, working alongside the FA and Football Foundation, your plans for the future – including your new 3G pitch.
“I should be very grateful to know more about Barwell Football Club’s 100 history (sic) and would be happy to promote it to raise awareness of the club in the wider community.”
As of 10am on Thursday, October 21, the club had raised £560 of its £50,000 target. To pledge your support, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/barwell-fc-3g-pitch-for-the-future.
