Shildon AFC has received approval for investment from the Football Foundation, alongside funds from its own purse and Durham County Council, to replace its grass pitch with a new 3G artificial pitch.
This means the club will soon be able to play more of its scheduled matches, as games currently often get cancelled due to bad weather on the grass pitch.
The new pitch will meet the FIFA Quality Standard, with work expected to start in June.
David Dent, chairman of Shildon AFC, said: “This is a game changer both for Shildon AFC and the community.
“With funding approved and planning permission in place, it’s all now a reality and we can start detailed planning for the future.
“We can now achieve our ambitions of being a thriving community club, offering football and other sporting opportunities to everyone, including women, girls, and disabled people.
“We’ve worked closely with the community to understand its needs, and this new facility addresses many of them, from providing an enhanced playing surface to offering wider opportunities to use the club’s other facilities.
“Securing the Football Foundation funding is a massive achievement and we’re excited to begin work in June.
“I would like to thank the Football Foundation and our partners at Durham County Council and Durham FA for believing in what we are doing and, more importantly, what we can go and achieve with this facility.
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“We’re on course to have this ready for our teams and the wider community for the 25/26 season.”
As well as the new pitch being beneficial for the club, it will also be an asset to the community, providing a home for more than 50 teams, including women’s and girls’ teams, youth, and disabled teams.
The facility will improve sporting and recreational opportunities for local people, teams, and schools, offering a safe and welcoming social space.
