THANKS to investment from the Premier League, through the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF), Crediton United Football Club has been able to receive generous funding to acquire vital new pieces of equipment for its ground and maintenance at Lords Meadow, Crediton.

The funding enabled the Club, who play in the Carlsberg South West Peninsula League Division One East at Step 7 and Devon and Exeter Division Three, to acquire a brand new Kubota G21 mower to help with the maintenance of their pitch at their Lords Meadow ground in Crediton.

They club has also been able to install replacement team shelters (dugouts) to comply with current ground grading regulations.

The Club has always prided itself in the excellent facilities at Lords Meadow which generations of players have enjoyed over the past 45 years.

The Club runs two Saturday men’s teams, a Veterans team and an Under 18’s team which also use the pitch regularly. The Youth section run a total of 15 teams including four girls teams who also use the main pitch when conditions allow.

The club received grants amounting to £10,057 from the Premier League towards the cost of the two projects delivered by the FSIF, which helped to make the acquisition possible.

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 to improve the comfort and safety of lower-league football grounds in both the professional and amateur game.

These improvements range from new equipment, football stands and turnstiles to floodlighting and improved provision for disabled supporters.

Long serving Club Honorary Life Member Chris Gillard, who has been involved with the project, said: “We are extremely grateful to the Football Stadia Improvement Fund and the Premier League. The grants have enabled us to replace the aged grass cutting Kubota mower which will help us to maintain an excellent surface on the pitch and also provide modern player dugout facilities.

“This will greatly assist the Club to continue to provide grassroots sport in the area.”

Peter McCormick OBE, Chairman of the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, said: “The FSIF is one of the many ways that the Premier League is offering a helping hand to clubs further down the pyramid.

“I commend Crediton United for their efforts in securing this Premier League funding towards their ground maintenance.”