FACILITIES at a Suffolk village football club have undergone a significant upgrade.

The goals, dugouts and fence surrounding the pitch at Bramford United, just outside Ipswich, have all been replaced.

The pitch at the club’s ground at Bramford Playing Field in Acton Road has also had major investment to improve it.

The investment in facilities at the club, whose first team play in Division Six of the Macron SIL, totals around £55,000.

The fencing has been supplied by Duralock and the goals and dugouts are from MH Goals, both of whom are recommended suppliers of Suffolk FA.

Club Secretary Jayne Vincent said: “Although the fence was solid it had warped and bent and was unsightly and unsafe. I heard some funding that was available and instead of using it for shiny new stuff I wanted to make our area as safe as possible.

“We used Duralock as the particular fencing I wanted only came from Duralock or one of their stockists.

“The fencing cost £20,857 with the money coming via a grant from Mid Suffolk Council who were really helpful and supportive.”

Jayne said the goals needed replacing as they were considered dangerous.

“We got them from MH Goals via East Point Sports as we did with the dugouts. They again were dangerous and had been vandalised quite badly.”

The goals cost £1,350 and the outlay was helped by a Football Foundation grant of £999, with the club paying the excess.

Jayne continued: “The £4,800 cost of the dug outs was paid with the grant money from Mid Suffolk Council, who came and met with us, asked what our needs and wants were and gave us realistic ideas of how to go about our upcoming plans.”

The club are also benefiting from a £19,000 Football Foundation grant towards a £28,000 pitch maintenance programme.

“We intend to ask for grants or fundraise to get the remainder when needed,” explained Jayne.

“So far we have had a lot of jobs done, including cutting, seeding, weeding, fertilising, scarifying and verti draining and the ground is due some high-grade fertiliser to get us through the frosty weather.”

Jayne and husband Richard Fenn moved across to Bramford United, which was solely an adult club, from Ipswich Phoenix a few years ago.

Jayne added: “We brought our Youth and our Veterans’ team to merge and continue as Bramford United, so there is a clear pathway from Youth to adult football.”

Richard Fenn sits in one of the two new dugouts, which have been supplied by MH Goals, at Bramford United FC

Jayne cited the difference that the upgrade in facilities will make to the club in the future.

She said: “For a little club like ours to be approved for grants worth several thousand pounds was amazing. We usually get turned down as we are a small club or not eligible. 

“A new playground has been put in next to our main pitch which is also amazing and our improvements will not only make the whole area look so much better, it makes it a safer space.

“There will be no more getting soaked in the dugout or catching coats on nails sticking out of the fencing. It will give those Youth players something to look forward to playing on a pitch in much better condition than it's been in the past with new dugouts.

“We aim to keep on improving, even if it's little bits here and there, like our adult team’s assistant coach coming in and painting the changing rooms for us. Every little helps.

“A big thank you also goes to the rest of the club for their support and to Bob Wakeling, one of the hardest working men I know in the world of football.”

Richard Fenn beside the Duralock fencing that has been installed at Bramford United FC

Suffolk FA Football Development Manager Matt Stebbings said: “It is great to see Bramford United getting vital investment into their site.

“Well done to the team at the club for securing the investment not only through the Football Foundation but also through other sources such as Mid Suffolk Council and their own funds.

“This is a good example of our Suffolk clubs can utilise partnerships Suffolk FA have like MH Goals and Duralock Fencing.

“If you are looking to improve your own facilities and find out what funding is available for on and off the pitch, including the grass pitches, please do get in touch via my email matt.stebbings@suffolkfa.com”