A grant of £99,999 from the Football Foundation means that Hambledon Football Club will be able to start work on its much-needed new pavilion and changing rooms at its Badger Park ground in the New Year.
The award of the grant has been greeted with delight by The Dons as it makes the long-awaited new facilities a reality rather than an aspiration. Planning permission has already been obtained but work could not start until significant funding was obtained on top of that already raised.
The grant, made by the Foundation under its “Grow The Game” fund, means that the club has a good chance of having the new club house ready for the 2013-14 season.
Matt Kiley, club secretary and first team player, said: “This money, along with grants already awarded from Waverley Borough Council, Surrey Community Fund and the Surrey Playing Fields Association, together with the club’s own fund raising efforts, enables us to put our building plans into place. Exciting times area ahead for the club.”
However, fund raising will continue as another £10,000 is still needed.
Paul Thorogood, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said: “I commend Hambledon FC and the Surrey FA for working tirelessly to secure this funding and I look forward to seeing the end result in the near future.
Hambledon FC will be presented with its grant cheque at a ceremony attended by club members, the Football Foundation, Waverley Borough and Hambledon Parish councillors and local MP Jeremy Hunt.
