Premier League and FA help fund new Moss Farm football pitch

Cheshire FA and Cheshire West and Chester Council have been awarded a £735,395 grant to help turbocharge women’s and girl’s football.

The money, which comes from the Premier League, the FA and the Government’s Football Foundation, will fund a new 3G pitch at Moss Farm Leisure Complex.

Steve Smithies, Cheshire FA CEO, said: “We are thrilled and deeply grateful to have received this grant funding from the Football Foundation in partnership with Cheshire West and Chester Council.

“This investment for a second 3G playing surface at Moss Farm represents a significant step forward in our aim to empower women and girls through football.

“By providing additional space for training and development, we aim to inspire the next generation of female athletes and create opportunities for them to excel both on and off the pitch.

“We look forward to seeing the positive impact this facility will have on the local community and the future of women's football.”

The new 3G pitch will be built at Moss Farm Leisure Complex (Image: CWAC)

David Edmunds, Cheshire FA Chair, added: “Cheshire FA has been at the forefront of female football development and progression for many years, and this investment from the Football Foundation is a tremendous boost which will allow us to take our commitment to new heights.

"We are most grateful for this exceptional grant. Onwards and upwards!”

Since the Lionesses lifted the European Championship in 2022, around 68,000 more girls have taken up football - when compared to before the tournament.

However, too often, badly lit pitches, unsuitable changing facilities and late-night kick-off times have deterred more women and girls from getting involved.

To address this, at least 30 projects will receive support from the Lionesses Future Fund – a £30 million cash injection from the Government and the FA delivered by the Football Foundation.

Each Lionesses Futures Fund site will prioritise access for women and girls through reserved peak-time slots and welcoming changing facilities to create a best-in-class experience.

Robert Sullivan, CEO of the Football Foundation, said: “The Lionesses Futures Fund builds on the Football Foundation’s biggest-ever commitment to providing equal access to grassroots facilities for women and girls.

“More than 8,500 women’s and girls’ football teams were playing at sites that have benefitted from Football Foundation funding last season, whether that be for new goalposts, improved grass pitches or brand-new changing pavilions and 3G pitches.

“Thanks to the funding from the Premier League, the FA and the Government, we’re delivering 30 pitches like this across the country to support the growing demand for football we’ve seen following the Lionesses’ inspirational success.”

Since the Lionesses lifted the European Championship in 2022, 68,000 more girls have taken up football (Image: PA)

Moss Farm’s existing football facilities have been supporting women and girls’ football in the area for more than 20 years.

Plans for a second top-level artificial playing surface were greenlit by the council earlier this month, with the aim of helping the female game to grow stronger in the coming years.

This project has also been supported by an additional £407,950 from Cheshire West and Chester Council and the Cheshire FA.

Cllr Louise Gittins, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “This is great news for Moss Farm, Northwich, and for football players across the borough.

“Thanks to the Football Foundation grant, we will see a huge boost for women and girls, increasing the opportunities for everyone inspired by the fantastic success of the Lionesses.”