A £500,000 Football Foundation award will aid a Sheffield non-league side to carry out a £1 million revamp of its ground in Handsworth.
Handsworth FC, who play in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, have been working hard on developing their site at Oliver’s Mount for three years.
The Ambers chose to implement a new FIFA quality full size 3G football pitch at Oliver’s Mount, with plans for the first team to move back to their spiritual home the main aim and the reasoning for the development.
Stephen Holmes, vice chairman, said: “That’s the aim and reasoning behind the investment.
“We are now working very hard on plans for pitch side facility’s to enable us to move the first team back , the building of pitch side changing facilities, hospitality, toilets , pay booths , medical room and event space is phase two of the current project , which will probably take the spend on the recent improvements to over £1 million.”
The Football Foundation award was given to the ninth-tier side after its proven track record of facility and investment management in addition to a good development and business plan.
Handsworth currently play at Worksop Town’s Sandy Lane ground in Nottinghamshire but plan to build changing and rooms, hospitality facilities, toilets and pay booths which will enable The Ambers to move back to to their S9 home.
The club were also dealt a hammer blow when they were subject to a break-in, the club lost over £10,000.
Holmes said: “The financial costs were well into five figures and it has been a massive blow to us”
But Mr Holmes said the club’s volunteers rallied around to impressively open the club again within days of the incident.
For more information visit @handsworthfc on Facebook or @Handsworth_FC on Twitter, alternatively search https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/handsworthfc/ to find the Ambers online.
East Sheffield Sport 