Two non-League football clubs – Cheadle Town FC and Needham Market FC – have won the 2018 Buildbase Club Renovation Programme.
The Stockport and central Suffolk clubs – who competed in the Buildbase FA Vase or Buildbase FA Trophy this term – will share the £100k product bursary for club improvements after succeeding at a pitching event for the six finalists held at Wembley Stadium.
The product bursary includes building, electrical and hire products which will be provided by local Buildbase branches working with the clubs.
The judging panel from Buildbase and The FA selected Cheadle Town FC because the bursary will enable the club to open up its facilities to new girls’, women’s and disability teams as well as upgrading the clubhouse, changing rooms, showers and converting a shipping container into an outdoor café.
Joint winners Needham Market FC will improve its facilities – including changing rooms, function rooms and a community café – to supplement the recently-installed 3G pitch and make the club a hub for the community.
Ian McConville, procurement director at Buildbase, said: “This is our second year awarding the product bursary to two non-League clubs and – from a total of almost 60 applications – we’ve chosen two richly-deserving winners that are investing both in their football clubs and the local community.
“Listening to them and all the shortlisted clubs was a reminder of the great work grassroots football clubs do in often very challenging circumstances. We’re glad to help another two clubs accelerate their plans for the future.”
Mark Bullingham, FA commercial and marketing Director added: “Congratulations to Cheadle and Needham Market for securing this prestigious product bursary. Once again, the Buildbase Club Renovation programme has energised the grassroots community and demonstrated that opportunities exist for clubs at this level to improve facilities for the betterment of players, staff and fans alike.
“Thanks again to Buildbase for being a great supporter of the clubs competing in the Trophy and Vase.”
Last year, the Buildbase Club Renovation Programme provided £100,000 of building, electrical and hire products available for two clubs – Hanwell Town FC and Cleethorpes Town FC – both of which have made significant improvements to their facilities.
