WRITTLE Minors YFC chairman David Beckett reflected on “a real team effort” as the Chelmsford club officially opened their new small-sided third generation (3G) artificial grass pitch.

The floodlit 3G surface will be used extensively by the club’s 24 teams, particularly by the youth section for small-sided matches and training sessions.

It will complement the eight grass pitches at the site and the club will also expand provision for disability football and form closer links with local primary schools thanks to the new state-of-the-art facility.

The project was made possible thanks to a £99,945 grant from the Premier League and The FA Facilities Fund.

The funding was delivered by the Football Foundation, who provides grants towards new or refurbished grassroots facilities.

The club also worked in partnership with the Essex County FA, who advised them with their application to secure the money.

“It’s fantastic,” said Beckett. “There’s been such imagination to see this old area turned round. It was derelict, with old tarmac and very old fencing. Now it’s just amazing! It’s only because of the help of the Football Foundation, the Big Society and the local parish council.

“We even had a donation of a container from D&B Scaffolding. It’s a modern facility for the local area mainly. It’s free for Writtle Junior School and the Infant School during the day and we’ve got 27 Minors teams who can use it if they want to.

“There are senior teams here as well, so it’s all the way through the age groups.”

When Beckett arrived on the morning of the opening ceremony, he discovered for the first time that a large sign had been put over the entrance to name the new pitch area the ‘Beckett Arena’.

“I was blown away when I saw the sign!” he said. “When it was suggested by the Sports & Social Club that they’d put my name on it I felt honoured.

“When I started six years ago I thought we were never going to get this! Then, a couple of years ago when the Football Foundation said they’d release money, I knew we’d have a good chance. At times it’s been a slog but, when you see it now, it’s fantastic. It’s well worthwhile.

Teams looking to improve their football facilities can use the ‘Grant Finder’ facility via www.essexfa.com. Contact the Essex County FA’s Brendan Walshe on 01245 393075 or email brendan.walshe@essexfa.com before completing the form.