The Football Foundation is the UK’s largest sports charity and exists to improve the experience of playing football for everyone, by championing fair access to quality facilities.

This grant will enable Wythenshawe AFC, who have 34 teams within the club and gives around 500 players the chance to play football each week, to funds to improve their playing pitches annually at Their Hollyhedge Park facility.

Players will be able to enjoy better quality pitches, which will represent a significant improvement on the existing pitches, which are in need of renovation.

Wythenshawe worked with the Football Foundation and the Lancashire FA to secure a £35,516 grant over the next six years towards the project.

Carl Barratt, Chair, said: “Football makes a huge difference to the players, coaches and community here. We see first-hand the impact on players’ confidence, physical health and mental focus. To receive this funding from the Premier League, the FA and the government through the Football Foundation means a lot to us, as it will help us to improve grassroots sport in Wythenshawe and get even more people involved in the nation’s favourite game.”

Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “We’re dedicated to improving grassroots football facilities because we want to encourage more people to get involved in our nation’s favourite game, regardless of their background, age or ability. That’s why I’m delighted that this funding will support Wythenshawe AFC in developing their Hollyhedge Park Playing pitches for the local community.

“Made possible by investment from the Premier League, the FA and the government, via Sport England, the Football Foundation is supporting the grassroots game by improving access to high-quality football facilities across the country. We believe in the power of pitches to transform lives and strengthen communities and so we’ll be investing £1bn across the country over the next ten years”.