Medway football pitches to get £800k investment

All of Medway Council's 62 grass pitches are to be upgraded

Dozens of football pitches in Kent are to be upgraded at a cost of £877,000.

Medway Council is to spend the cash - the majority of which will come from the Football Foundation - on improving its 62 grass pitches on 17 sites over six years.

It is part of a collaboration between the council and the Kent Football Association, after a recent assessment found the quality of 52 of the council's pitches were graded as basic or poor.

The work will improve the playing surfaces, allowing more games to be played and fewer postponements.

The Football Foundation, the charitable arm of the Premier League and Football Association, is contributing £600,579, while the council is adding £276,477.

The work will increase the number of matches being played on Medway's pitches

Vicki Mills, secretary of the Medway District Youth League, said: "It's fantastic that this fund is available from the Football Foundation and that Medway Council and Kent FA have been as keen as we have to improve pitch quality.

"This investment will make a real difference to grassroots players across Medway."

Nina Gurung, portfolio holder for heritage, culture and leisure, said: "This funding will make a positive difference in our communities and we look forward to continuing to work in strong partnership."