We've had to keep it a secret for the past two weeks but we can finally announce it.....
We are one of two non-league football clubs – the other being Needham Market FC – that have won the 2018 Buildbase Club Renovation Programme.
Ourselves and Needham Market (based in Suffolk) – competing either in The Buildbase FA Vase or Buildbase FA Trophy – will share the £100k product bursary for club improvements after succeeding at a pitching event for the six finalists held at Wembley Stadium connected by EE.
Chairman Craig Brennan delivering the pitch alongside committee members Stuart Crawford and Bryan Lindon
The product bursary includes building, electrical and hire products which will be provided by local Buildbase branches working with ourselves and Needham Market FC.
The judging panel from Buildbase and The FA selected us because the bursary will enable the club to open up its facilities to new girls’, women’s and disability teams as well as upgrading the clubhouse, changing rooms, showers and converting the shipping container that's located next to the Main Stand into an outdoor café.
Joint winners Needham Market FC will improve its facilities – including changing rooms, function rooms and a community café – to supplement the recently-installed 3G pitch and make the club a hub for the community.
Paul Roche, Managing Director at Buildbase said: “This is our second year awarding the product bursary to two non-league clubs and – from a total of almost 60 applications – we chose two richly-deserving winners that are investing both in their football clubs and the local community.
“Listening to them and all the shortlisted clubs was a reminder of the great work grass-roots football clubs do in often very challenging circumstances. We’re glad to help another two clubs accelerate their plans for the future.”
Chairman Craig Brennan said, “We’re delighted to win the £50 000 Buildbase Bursary, it will have a huge impact on Cheadle Town FC and our local area. The panel for Buildbase recognised how our vision for change would impact on everyone in the local community, especially at grassroots level.
Alongside our plans for facility improvement, we also have exciting plans for girl’s and women’s football development which this funding will support. The facility improvements complement Cheadle Town Academy and our partnership with Cheadle College to help local young people in the area to develop their career in football or sports coaching."
There will be improvements for the fan experience too and there are plans for a permanent café and improved changing and shower amenities."
It’s very exciting time for the club and Buildbase will accelerate our plans by two to three years, as we will not have to rely on fundraising activities to make the improvements we need to become a modern club that reflects the needs of the community."
Members of the committee have been invited back to Wembley Stadium for an on-pitch presentation during FA Non-League Finals Day on Sunday 20th May.
Last year, the Buildbase Club Renovation Programme provided £100,000 of building, electrical and hire products available for two clubs – Hanwell Town FC and Cleethorpes Town FC – both of which have made significant improvements to their facilities.