Club closer to achieving dream
By Effective Communication
Berriew FC is reaping the benefits of being part of a new joint venture between the Welsh Football Trust and Football Association of Wales (FAW) to improve grounds in Wales.
The Cymru Alliance League team was recently awarded £4,600 for new dugouts, toilets and a pathway around the pitch.
Berriew FC secretary Ceri Jones-Phillips said: “The grant has been enormously useful in the development of the recreation ground in Berriew. The village Recreation Association oversee the use of the field, including the football pitch and stand, the tennis courts and a children’s play area.
“The football club (and tennis club) are the principal fund raisers and although the committee and supporters of Berriew FC work very hard in maintaining their finances, the improvements of recent years could not have taken place without the grants available to match-fund the considerable amount of expenditure that has taken place.
“The expenditure has included essential items like the new dugouts which were required when the club won promotion to the Cymru Alliance. The road around the pitch is soon to be tarmacced which will considerably improve the appearance of the area and the installation of floodlights is also currently being planned.”
Football Club Chairman, Delwyn Langford, said: “This is an opportunity to thank all the members of Berriew FC for the work they have done in our own development and I can only commend the various grant schemes to other clubs looking to improve their facilities.”
Established in 2008, Welsh Grounds Improvements was set up to distribute Football Association of Wales grant aid to clubs to help improve the standard of stadia across Wales.
Phil Pritchard from Welsh Grounds Improvements visited the club (Saturday 13th March) to give their approval to the new facilities and to present a plaque to the club for the work carried out.
Peter Lee, Chairman of the Welsh Grounds Improvements Board said: “It is our aim to continue to help clubs like Berriew FC to improve the facilities that they offer to the community.
“With the introduction of this scheme, we hope to help many more clubs improve their future prospects and at the same time close the gap between the standards of facilities in place at football clubs across Wales.”
