MANGOTSFIELD United Football Club can press ahead with work to replace the pitch at its Cossham Street ground after winning more than £900,000 funding.
The club and Mangotsfield & Blackhorse Sports and Community Association announced plans to replace the current uneven grass pitch with a new 3G all-weather surface, with new LED floodlighting and widening of the ground, last year.
The £1.2 million project already has planning permission but depended on outside funding to go ahead.
Club chairman Steve Brown said he was “thrilled” at the news that the scheme had been awarded £775,499 from the Premier League, Football Association and the government’s Football Foundation, with a further £150,000 joint award from the Premier League, making a total of £925,499.
Mr Brown said: “Huge thanks go to everyone at the Football Foundation and the GFA who have worked with us through this process. We’d also like to thank the Premier League.
“Of course, massive thanks go to all the players, families and volunteers of all our partner clubs, Juniors as well as our local and parish councils over the last few years, who have given their time and have helped to raise the money that funds the balance.
“This is a huge investment into Mangotsfield and Emersons Green, which will not only create a great, modern arena for local non-league football in the area and secure the future of Mangotsfield United, but will also open up the facility to everyone in the local community, from all different ages, backgrounds and abilities.”
Contractors Tiger Turf and McCardle are expected to start work on the project towards the end of June, and the club hopes the new pitch will be installed and ready for use by the end of November.
By that time the football season will be underway, and the club is asking to play its early-season fixtures away from home.
A fundraising page for public donations towards the project is online at justgiving.com/campaign/project24.