A GRANT of £29,498 to Frome Town Football Club from the Premier League, will provide new floodlights for the local ground.
The grant was made through the Premier League’s Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF) – the largest funders of non-league football in the country.
This grant will enable Frome Town to replace their existing floodlights which were originally installed in 1980. The lights had deteriorated over time to such a point that they were no longer suitable due to the progression of Frome through the divisions and the club was faced with a situation where they needed to be replaced or they could suffer an enforced relegation.
Frome Town Supporters Club have been fundraising hard over a three year period to cover half of the cost which will allow the club to continue to participate in the Southern Premier League, and meet their aspirations for further promotion. Construction of the project is expected to commence shortly, hopefully in time for the start of the new season.
Funded with £5.2million 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.
Frome Town FC football and operations director, Gary Collinson, said, “There is little doubt that without this grant from the Premier League, through the Football Stadium Improvement Fund, we would have not been able to complete this work in time.
“Our Supporters Club has also raised a fantastic amount through their regular fundraising activities and it is thanks to both of these that we can look forward to progressing further up the football pyramid.”
Peter McCormick OBE, chairman of the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, said, “This grant award is great news for Frome Town FC, with the new floodlights allowing the club to really push on in the seasons ahead. The project is another great example of the Premier League’s investment in the grassroots game, with the FSIF ensuring lower league stadia infrastructure is continually improved and developed right across the country.”
