WARRINGTON is set to benefit from investment totalling £19,200 into football facilities.

The borough council has been awarded a grant from the Premier League, the FA and Government’s Football Foundation to install 16 new sets of adult, 11-a-side goal posts at 12 football sites across the borough.

The Football Foundation is the UK’s largest sports charity and exists to improve the experience of playing football for everyone, by championing fair access to quality facilities.

The grant will give the 37 clubs who play at these sites – and their 74 men’s and women’s teams – the chance to play football on improved playing pitch facilities with the new goal posts representing a significant improvement on the existing posts which were in need of replacement.

The council worked with the Football Foundation, the Liverpool County FA and Cheshire County FA to secure the grants towards the Warrington Football Goal Post Replacement Project.

The Government approved The Football Association’s plan for the return of outdoor competitive grassroots football on July 17, with clubs and facility providers permitted to restart once the necessary risk assessments and comprehensive plans have been put in place.

Cllr Tony Higgins, cabinet member for leisure and community, said: “This funding is great news for local football in Warrington.

“It’s important that we give our players the best possible facilities, and successfully securing this grant will enable us to upgrade pitches across the borough.

“I’m looking forward to the new goal posts giving players a real boost, as we move towards the safe return of grassroots football.”

Robert Sullivan, interim chief executive of the Football Foundation, added: “We know the huge benefits playing regular football can have on individuals’ physical and mental well-being.

“That’s why we’re committed to transforming the face of grassroots football facilities in this country.

“It’s therefore very welcome news to hear that this funding will support Warrington Borough Council in developing football facilities for their local community.”

Areas that will benefit from new goal posts are Appleton Thorn, Birchwood Forest Park, Crab Lane, Doe Green, Elizabeth Park, Hood Lane Recreation Ground, Loushers Lane, Morley Common, Padgate Hall, Ridgeway Grundy, Sow Brook and Thornton Road.