Essex grassroots clubs hail government funding announcement

Notley Youth Football Club is one of hundreds across the UK to benefit from £93m of funding

Grassroots sports projects across Essex are to get a share of £93m in national funding, the government has said.

Harwich and Dovercourt High School will receive almost £900,000 to help build an all-weather pitch while Galleywood Youth FC will get £9,630.

Braintree's Notley Youth FC was awarded £7,159 to install fencing to stop rabbits entering the field of play.

Club volunteer Martyn Barnard said managers currently had to fill rabbit-made holes on the pitch before matches.

"The grant will really improve that side of stuff," he said.

"It will really help make the pitches better for the kids to play on. To have that money will really improve the ground's status."

Martyn Barnard oversees the day-to-day running of Notley Youth Football Club

More than 1,100 sport projects will benefit from the funding nationally, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said.

Jo Sears, welfare officer at Broomfield FC, in Chelmsford, said the £3,772 the club received was a "lifeline".

"We are very lucky that we have our own pitches but we do still live a hand to mouth existence whereby we do need to fundraise.

"If we do receive any grant it all goes back into being able to provide grassroots football and participation for both girls and boys."

Reality TV personality Joey Essex joined in with a training session at Broomfield FC in November 2023

A total of 27 organisations across Essex was given a cash boost as part of the announcement on Saturday.

They included clubs in Tendring, Saffron Walden, Epping Forest, Basildon and Maldon.