New £742k pitch to help club 'be more inclusive'

AFC Corsham coach Andy Simpson said the pitch will be "a huge milestone for our club and the wider Corsham community." [BBC]A Wiltshire football team has secured or raised nearly three quarters of a million pounds for a bigger floodlit all-weather pitch which it says will make it more inclusive as a club.

>AFC Corsham's 40 teams currently have to travel to different venues and pitches including hockey pitches in Chippenham.

>The investment in the 3G surface at the club's Leafy Lane Playing Fields includes a £542,298 grant from the Premier League, The FA and the Government's Football Foundation - with the remaining £200,000 raised by the club and local community.

>Director Andy Simpson said: "I am hugely proud of the achievements we've made as a club, and proud of how the community has got behind it."

Former Chairman Simon Bray said he hopes homegrown talent will play for Corsham Town in the future. [BBC]A contractor is in place to build the new 97m x 61m pitch, which will be used for matchdays and training, this summer.

>Central to the plans is a commitment to expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups, particularly within the women's and girls' game in Corsham.

>The new facility, which will cost £742,000 overall, will also support the introduction of a PAN Disability youth team and help provide a clear pathway into adult football for all.

>Former club chairman said he is "committed to a pathway" linking AFC Corsham to Corsham Town FC so youth football have a clear path to follow and talent can be grown locally.

>The new pitch will be used by AFC Corsham, local schools and private hirers who will be able to check the website for availability to use the pitch.

>It's hoped players could be using the new surface before the end of the year.

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