People living in Ely are set to benefit from fresh investment into local football facilities. Ely City Crusaders have been awarded a grant from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation, to improve the quality of the grass pitches at Ely City Football Club on Downham Road.

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.

Players will be able to enjoy better quality pitches, which will represent a significant improvement on the existing pitches which are in need of renovation. The work to be done is to improve the back pitches that play host to mini soccer , 7 v 7, 9 v 9 and 11 a-side.

Ely City Crusaders and Ely City FC as one club worked with the Football Foundation and the Cambridgeshire FA to secure a £38,304 grant towards the 10 year project.

Vicky Sizer, Secretary at Ely City Crusaders said: “Football makes a huge difference to the players, coaches and community here. We see first-hand the impact on players’ confidence, physical health and mental focus. To receive this funding from the Premier League, The FA and the Government through the Football Foundation means a lot to us, as it will help us to improve grassroots sport in the area and get even more people involved in the nation’s favourite game.”

Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “We’re dedicated to improving grassroots football facilities because we want to encourage more people to get involved in our nation’s favourite game, regardless of their background, age or ability. That’s why I’m delighted that this funding will support Ely City Crusaders in developing their grass pitches for the local community.

“Made possible by investment from the Premier League, The FA and the Government, via Sport England, the Football Foundation is supporting the grassroots game by improving access to high-quality football facilities across the country. We believe in the power of pitches to transform lives and strengthen communities and so we’ll be investing £1bn across the country over the next 10 years.”