Bromsgrove Sporting FC unveils new ground maintenance equipment

Bromsgrove Sporting FC was pleased to officially unveil their new ground maintenance equipment following its delivery on Friday 18th October 2019. This has been made possible by investment from the Premier League, which has been delivered by the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF). The investment has allowed the Club, who play in the Betvictor Southern League, Premier Central Division at Step 3, to purchase much needed new mowers and ground improvement equipment. The equipment comprises an Allett C34 motor mower with a seat and a selection of six different ground maintenance cartridges, plus they were able to also purchase an Allett 14K motor mower which will provide a good finish for the pitch marking and penalty areas. The equipment was supplied by Cutting Edge Machinery Limited of Tardebigge. The Club’s volunteer ground staff, Rob Birch and Brian Poole assisted by Joe Ford, have been able to maintain the pitch to a very high standard to date (indeed winning third prize in the FA’s Groundsman of the Year award in the Southern Football League in 2017-18). However the current equipment was becoming unreliable, uneconomic to repair and very time consuming to use and they had to borrow equipment to get the pitch fit their games. The ground (the Victoria Ground) hosts the first team, the U-18’s team and also hosts, Worcester City’s games playing in the Midland Football League Premier Division. They also host the Bromsgrove and District Football League cup finals and a variety of charity games The project was made possible by a £10,200 grant from the Premier League, which is delivered through the Football Stadia Improvement Fund – the sister organisation of the Football Foundation. Previously, the club was the beneficiary of a £100,000 grant for a new floodlighting system which is more energy efficient, reduces light ‘spillage’ to their neighbours and meets the 180 lux requirement for Conference level football. 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. Mike Gardiner, the Club’s Director of Capital Programmes said ‘We are delighted to receive this grant. The new equipment is top of the range and will significantly reduce the man-hours required to maintain the pitch and, with the enhanced flexibility of the ground maintenance cartridges, it will help us to continuously improve the pitch quality in future seasons. Given all the issues the ground staff faced, I am delighted that they now have the equipment they deserve. Peter McCormick OBE, Chairman of the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, said: “I am pleased that Premier League money, delivered though the FSIF, has helped Bromsgrove Sporting FC to purchase new grounds maintenance equipment. The Premier League invests in improving facilities for clubs at the lower levels of the game, and this project is an excellent example of some of the vital equipment needed to maintain grass pitches at this level of the game. My congratulations go to all who were involved with this project.” Visit Cutting Edge Machinery's Website HERE For more information contact: • Jack Cavilla on 0345 345 4555 Ext: 4292 or jack.cavilla@footballfoundation.org.uk • Mike Gardiner on 07787 128902 or at mike.gardiner2@btinternet.com