25 Years of the Football Foundation: Lucy Bronze’s grassroots beginnings

Before the trophies and the international caps, Lucy Bronze’s journey began on a grassroots pitch. To mark its 25th anniversary, the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation is celebrating the impact of its funding on grassroots pitches across the country, where the journeys of many England internationals and Premier League stars first began. Pictures from grassroots clubs across the country show players such as Jordan Pickford, Alan Shearer and Millie Bright just starting out in the game.  

25 years ago, a unique partnership between the Premier League, The FA and Government formed the Football Foundation. Thanks to the ongoing support of funding partners, the Foundation has invested over £1 billion towards achieving this goal, delivering the grassroots sports facilities that communities up and down the country need and deserve.

Every football journey starts on a first pitch. For Lucy Bronze that first pitch was at Alnwick Town Juniors. We’re celebrating grassroots football across our social channels and would love to see where your journey began too. Share a photo of your first pitch with #FirstPitches.