New look for grassroots Kent football club

A lush green football pitch with goal posts at either end. The are flood lights on the far side of the pitch, as well as signs saying "Home" and "Away". In the picture is also a new black metal fence, on the edge of the pitch.BBC/Liz Saul

The main pitch at Bearsted FC, near Maidstone, Kent

Liz Saul
BBC News, South East

A grassroots football club in Kent is having a makeover ahead of the new season.

Bearsted FC - where England striker Alessia Russo began her career - has installed a metal surround fence around its main pitch to improve safety for spectators.

The clubhouse is in the process of being renovated, the cafe is being extended and a new electronic scoreboard has been installed.

Colin Whitfield, a former coach with the club, who is now a referee, said they have secured money to do the work during the off season and there is more to come.

A man in a grey football shirt standing by the edge of a football pitch, leaning against a metal fence. There's a banner saying Bearsted FC in the background.Liz Saul/BBC

Colin Whitfield is a former coach with Bearsted FC

"We'll do some more initiatives and raise a bit of funding to change the floodlights, so that we can upgrade those and go to a cheaper version," he said.

Bearsted FC currently play in the Southern Counties East League Premier Division and play at Honey Lane in Otham.

Their season begins on Saturday, with a preliminary FA cup round at home to Hackney Wick.

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