A LOCAL football club has received a monetary boost thanks to winning award for it community involvement. Shildon AFC is one of two non-league clubs to win a 50 per cent share of the annual £50K Buildbase Community Club Award. The club is receiving a £25,000 product bursary which covers building, electrical and hire materials to renovate its facilities, having pitched its plans to a panel of judges from Buildbase and the FA. The clubs that have won the award this year were judged as much on their community involvement as their investment in football. Shildon AFC has plans for new paving, decking and artificial grass in a community garden, café and outdoor seating area with Wi-Fi, which will support its homework club for two local schools.
A DUDLEY soccer club is hoping to win £25,000 to help improve facilities, based on its community work in the pandemic. Gornal Athletic FC is hoping for a share of this season’s £50,000 Buildbase Community Club Award – giving two non-league clubs £25,000 each of building materials. Judges from Buildbase and the FA will be looking for clubs that have gone above and beyond to support their community through the pandemic as well as feasible renovation projects that will benefit local people. Gornal want to improve the outside areas of the Garden Walk Stadium, keeping the facilities up to standard and safe for spectators and visitors to enjoy.