The Football Foundation at 25: How investment kickstarted the footballing journey of Calverton Miners Welfare FC

This year marks 25 years of the Football Foundation and a quarter of a century of transforming grassroots football.

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. Over the past 25 years, the Football Foundation has invested £1.3 billion in grassroots facilities, providing people of all ages and backgrounds with quality pitches, modern clubhouses, and inclusive spaces to get active.

Calverton Miners Welfare FC are a shining example of how funding has made a difference. The Nottinghamshire club first received funding back in 2003 when a grant of £572k was awarded towards new changing rooms and new grass pitches. This funding kickstarted the transformation of the club, enabling it to grow from four teams in 2003 to 25 and counting today.  These 25 teams span junior and senior men’s and women’s sides, as well as men’s veterans, with plans underway to launch a women’s walking football team. 

Viv Corcoran, Club Secretary of Calverton Miners Welfare FC, highlighted the impact that initial funding has had on the club: 

The funding from the Football Foundation started the development of our Club. At the time of our funding we only had one pitch which prevented the growth of grassroots football in our community.