A £15,760 GRANT to help rejuvenate football pitches in Horrabridge has been deemed a boost for grassroots football.

Horrabridge Rangers Sport Association has been awarded the grant from the Premier League, the FA and the Government’s Football Foundation, to revamp the grass pitches at Fillace Park.

The association worked with the three organisations, along with Horrabridge Parish Council and Devon County FA to secure the money.

The Football Foundation is the UK’s largest sports charity and exists to improve the experience of playing football for everyone, by championing fair access to quality facilities.

The grant will enable Horrabridge Rangers Sports Association the chance to play football each week. Players will be able to enjoy better quality pitches — a significant improvement on the existing grass pitches, which are prone to waterlogging.

The funding will see regular turf aeration (vertical tine aeration), fertilising, weed killing and seeding.

The works will be carried out by a specalist from the Institute of Groundmanship.

Ian Mulholland, Horrabridge Rangers Sports Association club secretary, said: ‘Football makes a huge difference to the players, coaches and community here. We see first-hand the impact on players’ confidence, physical health and mental focus.

‘To receive this funding means a lot to us as it will help us to improve grassroots sport in Horrabridge and get even more people involved in the nation’s favourite game.’

Paul Thorogood, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said: ‘We’re dedicated to improving grassroots football facilities because we want to encourage more people to get involved in football, regardless of their background, age or ability. That’s why I’m delighted that this funding will support Horrabridge Rangers in developing the grass pitches in Fillace Park for the local community.

‘Made possible by investment from the Premier League, The FA and the Government, via Sport England, the Football Foundation is supporting the grassroots game by improving access to high-quality football facilities across the country.’