25 Years of the Football Foundation: How investment transformed football in North Yorkshire

This year marks the Football Foundation’s 25th anniversary and a quarter of a century of transforming grassroots football.

Back in 2000, the Premier League, The FA, and the Government came together with a bold shared ambition, to give every community a great place to play. Since then, that vision has flourished. Over the past 25 years, the Football Foundation has invested more than £1.3 billion into grassroots facilities, ensuring people of all ages and backgrounds can access high-quality pitches, modern clubhouses, and welcoming spaces to get active.

One success story can be found in North Yorkshire. In 2002, an £875k Football Foundation grant supported a joint venture between Stokesley Sports Club and North Riding County FA, helping to create a modern new headquarters that became a catalyst for grassroots growth across the region. New changing rooms, a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) and grass pitches laid the foundations for the future of football in the region.

The impact of the new facilities was felt far and wide. So much so that Football Foundation Supporter and former England manager Sir Gareth Southgate paid a special visit to the site in 2005. His presence was a huge boost for the local football community, inspiring players young and old, while shining a light on just how important the Foundation’s support has been in helping grassroots football thrive.

Ted Watts, Chairman of Stokesley Sports Football Club, reflected on the difference the funding has made:

The funding was significant. It allowed the senior football team to play at Step 5 and provided the local community with a top-quality multi-sport site.