People living in Haverhill are set to benefit from fresh investment into local football facilities thanks to a £825k grant from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation.

This investment will enable Haverhill Community Sports Association to create a second floodlit 3G football turf pitch at The New Croft to enhance it’s football facilities for current clubs and those in and around Haverhill. 

These improved facilities will represent a significant improvement on the existing facility at The New Croft that will be used by Haverhill Rovers, Haverhill Borough FC, The New Croft Foundation other local partner clubs local schools.

The grant will also enable The New Croft to enhance football provision and club development in the local area by focusing on the growth of; disability and inclusive teams, women and girls, health and wellbeing activities and recreational provision in the local area.

Peter Betts, Facilities & Development Manager at Haverhill Community Sports Association said: “We are all delighted at The New Croft to receive such a substantial grant towards further enhancing our facilities to the benefit of the entire community. 

There are some exciting projects and initiatives on the horizon as a result of these new facilities and obviously the benefit to the clubs playing football here is huge also. I would like to thank the board of directors here led by Tom Harrison and all the staff at The New Croft who have worked collaboratively together to achieve this target within a 13 month period which for me highlights how driven everyone is here to succeed, we cannot wait to get the spade into the ground next week.”

Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said:The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government – to transform the quality of grassroots facilities in England by delivering projects like this across the country.

“Good quality playing facilities have a transformative impact on physical and mental health and play an important role in bringing people together and strengthening local communities. 

 “This grant award to Haverhill Community Sports Association towards developing the construction of a new floodlit 3G pitch is fantastic news for the local community and will help give more people access to a great place to play.”