A new grassroots football facility has opened in Abbots Langley.

Evergreen FC was able to build a new clubhouse and pavilion, complete with four changing rooms and a kitchen, thanks to a £118,950 grant from the Premier League and FA Facilities Fund, and a further £50,000 grant through the Football Stadia Improvement Fund.

Mark Ward, chairman of Evergreen FC, said: “The funding we were able to secure was absolutely pivotal in the club being able to undertake a massive refurbishment of the facilities where we were able to invest nearly £275,000 in the buildings.

“We have created a first class community asset, offering unrivalled facilities to the local community, and I would like to thank the Premier League and the FA Facilities Fund for their support.

“Feedback from the local community has been fantastic and will enable us to continue to attract players across all age groups and improve grassroots sport.”

Watford Observer:

Paul Thorogood, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said: “I am delighted that a grant from the Premier League and the FA Facilities Fund has enabled Evergreen FC to build a new changing pavilion and clubhouse.

“This development will provide a real boost to sport in the local area.”

Evergreen FC worked alongside the Hertfordshire FA and Football Foundation to compile a five-year football development plan, which is a vision of how sport will be played on-site with an emphasis on increasing participation.

The new facility will be enjoyed by local community groups, schools and Premier League side Watford FC, in addition to more than 40 of Evergreen FC’s sides, which range from under-fives right through to senior football.

The Premier League and the FA Facilities Fund is provided by the Premier League, the FA, and Sport England.

It is delivered by the Football Foundation, the country’s largest sports charity. Since it was launched in 2000, the foundation has awarded around 15,000 grants worth £580m towards improving grassroots sport, which it has used to attract additional partnership funding of more than £800 million.