Sporting grant will be spent on pitches

New football pitches are set to be created at Tipton Sports Academy thanks to a grant of almost £20,000 from the Football Foundation.

Two new all-weather, five-a-side artificial pitches will be created at the leisure centre on Wednesbury Oak Road under the plans unveiled today. The £19,926 grant has been handed out to create more playing opportunities for borough clubs and teams, and it is hoped the pitches will be up and running as early as next month.

John Harling, facility manager for Sandwell Leisure Trust, said: "The grant awarded from the Football Foundation will help to realise a long-awaited project of building a brand new football facility for the people of Tipton to increase participation and enjoyment of the game."

The Football Foundation, the country's largest sports charity, is funded by the Premier League, the Football Association and the Government, with a £40 million budget helping to boost grass roots football.

Paul Thorogood, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said: "We warmly congratulate the trust and the local FA for their hard work and dedication in securing this award.

"Sport is playing a central role in helping people to stay fit, strengthen communities and promote responsibility amongst young people."

Tipton Town Football Club currently has an application lodged with Sandwell Borough Council for a new stand at the sports academy.

The stand, which will have a capacity of 152 fans, will stand at 16ft high and 65ft wide and will be opposite the existing 240-seater stand.

The club said it needs to invest in its facilities to compete in higher leagues.