Funding supports hard-hit teams

Grants have been awarded to football clubs across Cumbria as part of a joint funding scheme.

Cleator Moor Celtic FC

Football in Cumbria has been given a £16,000 boost this week as 32 clubs were awarded grants from The Premier League, The FA and the Government's Football Foundation.

Club Preparation Fund grants will support clubs in fulfilling Covid-19 safety measures in anticipation for the return of sport.

Seaton FC, Whitehaven AFC, Workington AFC, Maryport Amateurs and Gosforth FC are included in the 311 clubs that will benefit.

Junior teams of the non league clubs have also benefitted.

Cleator Moor Celtic FC has received a £500 grant from the latest round of football funding.

Groundsman Dave Graham said: "It's a massive help to set the club up for reopening."

The support comes at an important time for the club as it follows £140,000 in pitch improvements to prevent water-logging. The works were supported by the FA's Pitch Improvement Project.

Grants awarded to the Cumbrian football clubs will contribute to the installation of hygiene facilities such as hand sanitising stations. Screens will be installed at football sites across Cumbria along with contactless payment systems and signage to advise on social distancing guidelines.

Funds will also facilitate maintenance work on club grounds such as repairing hand basins and hot water provision. Professional inspections may also be necessary due to the prolonged period of closure following the pandemic.

Workington AFC were also awarded the full £500 available from the Club Preparation Fund.

Support is welcome for Reds who are currently on a fundraising drive to provide the club with a safety net following the coronavirus pandemic.

Chairman Les Byers said: "It helps with the costs of work to our ground so that we can admit supporters back into Borough Park."

Play can only take place behind closed doors until after September 1. Byers added that when the new season begins in the Northern Premier League, it will be a busy period for the club.

You can read the full article from the News & Star HERE