This investment will enable AFC Sudbury to create a new all-weather 3G pitch for the club and the local community offering an enhanced experience for its grassroots and reserves teams, as well as being able to open the club to more members of the community.

AFC Sudbury (amalgamated football club) was formed in 1999 when Sudbury Town and Sudbury Wanderers joined forces. The club now plays at King’s Marsh, Brundon Lane, Sudbury, which Wanderers purchased in 1972 and were previously water meadows, AFC Sudbury is a fully inclusive community-based club committed to providing the best possible environment for the pursuit of sporting and educational excellence and enjoyment.

These improved facilities will represent a significant improvement on the existing facilities at the club as it will replace the grass pitch prone to being unplayable in the winter months and allowing other local teams to benefit from the facilities at AFC Sudbury which are currently at capacity.

The site will be used by partner clubs, local and community organisations, local schools, our own grassroots and academy teams, and we hope to work with the Authorities to offer facilities for rehabilitation and health and well-bring benefits.

This project has also been so far supported by an additional £165,000 from Babergh District Council and Belstead Ganzoni Settlement Charitable Trust.

Andrew Long, AFC Sudbury Chairman said:

“After nearly 6 years of planning, everybody associated with AFC Sudbury are so pleased to see this project coming into its final stages. We look forward to seeing the build process and being able to offer the additional facilities, alongside our excellent stadium, for the community to benefit from. This has only been made possible by the professionalism and support of the Football Foundation and their grant. We are indebted to everybody who has helped make this project finally come to fruition”.

Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said:

“The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government – to transform the quality of grassroots facilities in England by delivering projects like this across the country.

“Good quality playing facilities have a transformative impact on physical and mental health and play an important role in bringing people together and strengthening local communities.

“This grant award to AFC Sudbury towards developing a new 3G pitch is fantastic news for the local community and will help give more people access to a great place to play.”