Tadcaster boosted by stadium grant

The Football Foundation, which is funded by the Premier League, the FA and Sport England, 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.

This grant will enable the club to repair the substantial damage to its clubhouse and changing facilities sustained following storms Ciara and Dennis. This will include the replacement of the floor and wall finishes, key electrical items, roof repairs and redecoration.

It will also make it possible for the club to repair the electrical wiring to the floodlights, which was submerged several times under the flood water, provide new fencing to those areas which bore the brunt of the force of the flooding, essential repairs to the pitch and also the purchase of a new lawn mower to replace the one ruined by the floods.

Tadcaster chairman, Andy Charlesworth, said: “Football is vitally important to the local community here as well as the players and volunteers who help run the Club. We have been in existence since 1892 and at the current stadium for 60 years.

“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 continue to represent the town and get even more people involved in the nation’s favourite game.”

The work will enable Tadcaster to resume its place in the league as and when the measures to protect people from the COVID-19 pandemic can be relaxed sufficiently for the new season to begin.

The club worked with the Football Foundation and the County FA to secure a £24,982 grant towards the project.

Jo de Tute, Head of Football Development at West Riding County FA added: “As a County FA it is great to see that the FA and the Football Foundation acted so quickly to offer support to those clubs unfortunately affected by the floods.

“With the funding now in place for Tadcaster, work can now get started on getting the club house, stadium and other areas of the ground back up to fully working order. Well done everyone and we look forward to seeing it when it is all finished.”

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 Tadcaster Albion to continue and thrive after the devastating floods earlier this year.”