The drive for a £1m all-weather football pitch at Aylsham’s FC’s Youngs Park base has reached a vital stage after an application was submitted to the Football Foundation for the lion’s share of the funding.
Aylsham FC chair and Youngs Community Sports Trustee Ian Potter believes a compelling case has been made to secure the key piece in the complex jigsaw to pay for the project – named the 3G JB Postle Arena after sponsorship from a local electrical retailer celebrating its centenary.
The bid to secure £800,000 plus VAT follows an intense three-month application process, with over 30,0000 words and 50 supporting documents submitted to the government-backed FA and Premier League charity improving grassroots football facilities.
Ian thanked Norfolk FA head of facilities and deputy CEO Ian Grange for his fantastic support.
“Our story is compelling thanks to the fantastic work of all the volunteers at Aylsham FC and Youngs Park,” he added.
The Football Foundation investment panel review is expected over the next couple of months with a formal decision expected next January.
“As a club and with the charitable trust, we must raise a minimum of our revised target of £24,000 to top up all of the grants we have managed to secure or are working towards,” said Ian.
“We have raised around £10,000 to date and now need a big push by everyone over the next four to five months before works starts – envisaged to be late Spring 2024.“
The wide range of events which have already taken place include a mini soccer football tournament, girls holiday programme coaching event, cake bake and supporting Aylsham show.
Main sponsor JB Postle has made a significant contribution to the charity fund and a “Go Fund me page” has also been set up: https://www.gofundme.com/f/3g-pitch
Ian added: “We are incredibly grateful to all our existing local business sponsors and advertisers who support Aylsham FC and Youngs Park – if you are looking to promote your business, we would love to hear from you. If it’s an advertising board for the main pitch, call Alan Collins on 07901 915525 for a chat.”
The new floodlit pitch (on the existing full-size pitch two next to the floodlit main pitch), with fencing and a spectator area, is needed to cope with demand for matches and training in all weathers at the popular Youngs Park. The facility, which opened in November 2015, now hosts 30 teams and recreational groups with more than 500 players a week. The 3G pitch scheme was boosted by a £250,000 grant this year from the Greater Norwich Growth Board’s Infrastructure Investment Fund to start the ball rolling.
ON THE BALL: JB Postle directors Jon Postle (right) and Nikki Filby are pictured with Ian Potter, Aylsham FC chairman and Youngs Park trustee.