Newcastle United's Dan Burn visits Blyth Spartans for Non-League Day
Posted on 30th March 2022
The Premier League has announced a new funding scheme for National League system clubs and those in the women’s game. Grants totalling £16m are available between now and the end of the season.
Clubs can apply for the Premier League Stadium Fund grant to develop their grounds, including improvements to meet the requirements of the league that a club competes in.
There is also financial support for clubs recovering from the general impact of COVID-19, with specific funding to build links with their local communities and develop club houses, catering, hospitality and other facilities.
🏟 The #PL is increasing financial support for clubs to make stadium improvements 🙌
Grants totalling £16million will be made available to clubs in the National League System and women’s football pyramid between now and the end of next season
➡️ https://t.co/MhRAHqoseM pic.twitter.com/BzBdk72F9R
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 28, 2022
Applications to the Premier League Stadium Fund for stadium improvements and developments (those previously available through the Football Stadia Improvement Fund) will open on Wednesday 30th March and clubs can begin the process by visiting premierleague.com/stadiumfund
The Premier League says expressions of interest from clubs to apply for club development funding on projects which boost revenue streams in the recovery from COVID-19 will be available from Wednesday 6th April until Friday 29th April.
As the new season gets under way Dulwich Hamlet have made improvements to Champion Hill – with help from the Fans for Diversity fund – that they hope will encourage more people from the community to stop by the Isthmian League side.
The Government is facing growing calls from National League clubs to provide ongoing pandemic support in the form of grants, rather than the loans that have been promised under the Government’s Sports Winter Survival Package. Rather than become further indebted to play matches behind closed doors, there’s a growing fear that clubs could refuse to complete the season at the top levels of non-league as a result.
In a worrying development in non-league, two clubs – Abingdon Town of the Hellenic League at Step 6, and Whyteleafe of the Isthmian League at Step 4 – have given up their league status for the 2021-22 season in disputes over stadium rent.
The Fans for Diversity campaign has published a guide which will support clubs and their fans who are looking to diversify and increase their attendances, and connect with local communities.
