GRASS football pitches in Reydon have been given a significant boost due to Football Foundation funding.

Reydon Playing Fields Charity has received a grant of £22,943 towards grass pitch maintenance equipment for the old Reydon High School site.

The grant covered 75 per cent of the total project cost of £30,950 for a new tractor and mower. The balance came from the Reydon Playing Fields Charity’s own funds.

The charity and Sole Bay United FC, who are the main sports users of the site, have also been granted £15,000 towards grass pitch maintenance.

The site has been used for football teams for the last 32 years since Reydon High School closed in 1990 and the community took over the playing field.

The pitches are used by Sole Bay United Football Club including juniors, adults and veterans with a combined total of 13 teams.

However, the adults and veterans currently play matches at Southwold Common.

Steve Watson (Chairman) and Graham Langley (Treasurer) are two of the original trustees of the charity and have both been involved in managing the site and with the football club since 1990 and have just taken possession of the new equipment.

Graham said: “The equipment will enable us to maintain the pitches and grass to a higher standard and reduce the amount of time and costs in maintaining older unreliable equipment.”

Steve said ‘’The grass maintenance grant will help us to maintain the pitches in good condition for the entire football season without the need to cancel matches due to pitch problems.

Steve Watson, who is the charity chairman, at the wheel of the new tractor alongside the new community centre building. Phase one is due to open soon.

The charity are also currently building a new sports and community centre with phase one due to open soon.

Graham added: “Phase two has not yet started but will provide the new changing rooms. This will enable us to provide a fantastic site, buildings and sports pitches.”

Suffolk FA Football Development Manager Matt Stebbings said: “It is great to see a community club and facility coming together and be successful in a number of funding programmes through the Football Foundation.

“The projects, which involve grass pitch improvements and grass pitch machinery, are a credit to Suffolk Football. They have another big project coming up with phase two which we, as the County FA, will be working closely to support.”

If your club or facility is in need of investment then get in touch with Suffolk FA Football Development Manager Matt Stebbings who will come out to visit the facility/club and guide you through the application process.

Matt can be contacted on 07432 735961 or via email matt.stebbings@suffolkfa.com