Devils cheering after £235k of pitch upgrades

A junior football club's pitch facilities have been given a £235,535 upgrade.
MP Mary Creagh and  Lord Pendry with the Durkar Devils.MP Mary Creagh and  Lord Pendry with the Durkar Devils.
MP Mary Creagh and Lord Pendry with the Durkar Devils.

The Dukar Devils have used grant money to resurface and drain the natural grass pitches at their Slack Lane home.

And there are now two full-size pitches, two junior-size pitches and one Mini-Soccer pitch at the site, which will be used by the club for training and matches.

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Lord Pendry, president of the Football Foundation, and Wakefield MP Mary Creagh officially opened the pitches.

Rt Hon Lord Pendry said: “The improvements made to the pitch facilities at the club’s home will have a significant impact on players, officials and supporters.

“The development of new pitches, and the re-grading of existing ones will also enable the club to introduce seven new girls’ teams – a positive objective of the Football Foundation.”

Ms Creagh added: “This is an important and significant development to the club, and it was wonderful to see girls and boys enjoying the new pitches on Saturday.”

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The project was funded through a £98,000 grant from the Premier League and The FA Facilities Fund, delivered by the Football Foundation, an £18,000 donation from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, £50,000 from Sport England’s Protected Playing Fields and £50,000 from WREN’S FCC Community Action Fund.

The extra pitch spaces has enabled the club to create a new ladies and girls section.

And the Devils also hopes to host disability sporting events and increase participation.

Matthew Thompson, Durkar Devils Junior FC chairman, said: “We’re immensely proud to have been entrusted with this investment in grassroots sport and look forward to playing our role to grow community sports.”