Tamworth FC awarded funding for New LED Floodlights at the Lamb Ground
A new LED Floodlight Project for Tamworth Football Club at the Lamb Ground in Staffordshire has been awarded funding by the Premier League, through the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF). As sister organisation of the Football Foundation, the FSIF are the largest funders of non-league football in the country.
The £76,475 FSIF grant, which is 70% of the costs of the project, will enable Tamworth FC, who compete in the Southern Premier Central League at Step 3, to replace their 50 years old nine-column structure with a state of the art four-column 200 Lux powered system. This will fully meet the requirements of The FA National Ground Grading criteria and enable Tamworth FC to continue the upgrade of their facilities, building on the new FIFA specification 3G playing surface that was installed nearly four years ago.
When finished, the club will benefit from a new sustainable system that will improve the facilities offered to the local community in Tamwortth and the surrounding area. The lights housed on four columns will be dimable using mobile technology. They will be fully focused on the pitch, thus reducing the current light spillage that impacts local housing and road junctions. The new system will reduce the club's running and maintenance costs as well as improve our carbon footprint.
Since 2016 the ground has moved from a facility that is used two nights a week and a Saturday afternoon to seven days a week all year round (9.00am to 10.00pm). The club has grown from one competitive team to 25 teams ranging from Under-7s to the first team. There is also a full-time scholarship programme for 60 students aged 16-19. Last season saw the introduction of a Ladies section with junior and adult teams representing Tamworth FC and a full-time scholarship programme for girls is commencing this coming September. As a result, Tamworth FC is now the largest multi team football club in the area. The facility also benefits other community clubs in the area.
Mark Maybury, who spearheaded the grant application said, "We are excited that the club is now able to continue with the upgrading of the Lamb Ground with new state of the art LED floodlights.
These will be in place for the start of the new 2020/21 season and we are grateful for the grant provided by the Football Stadia Improvement Fund and Premier League, which will benefit all those that use the ground and improve access to grassroots sports in the local community."
Notes to editors:
The FSIF is funded with £6.5m each year from the Premier League. It is the country’s largest provider of grants towards projects that help improve the comfort and safety of lower-league football grounds in both the professional and amateur game. These improvements range from new football stands and turnstiles to floodlighting and improved provision for disabled supporters.
For more information contact:
• Mark Maybury on 07713 180766 or markmaybury@thelambs.co.uk