NEW floodlights will bring ‘huge benefits’ to Framlingham Town FC.

The LED lights were officially switched on at Tuesday night’s Thurlow Nunn League Division One North fixture versus Diss Town, which the visitors won 1-0.

The new lights are a joint project between Framlingham Sports Club and Framlingham Town FC. FSC have freehold of the Badingham Road site on which the football pitch and lights are sited. 

The total cost of the project was £75,000, with £50,000 coming from the Premier League Stadium Fund.

The football club contributed £3,800 through fundraising and the balance came from the following: Framlingham Town Council £9,000, Belstead Ganzoni Charity Trust £3,000, Tudwick Foundation £2,700, Mills Charity £2,500, Framlingham Flyers £2,000, Adnams Charity £1,000 and East Suffolk Councillors £1,000.

Framlingham Town FC Co-Chair Chris Howard, who spoke during the switch on presentation to funding partners along with the club's grants officer Christine Abraham, said: “The club are thankful for the financial support from all funders, particularly during this difficult economic time when there is great demand for funding of many worthy community projects.

“Our old floodlights were second-hand from Sizewell car parking when we purchased them in 1999.  Due to their age, they were becoming regularly unreliable to the extent that fixtures were postponed.

“It was difficult to access parts and replacements for them and when we did the parts were very expensive. Energy costs to use floodlights were excessive but, most importantly, the floodlights were no longer meeting the standards required for Step 6 football.”

Christine Abraham, who is a committee member and grants officer of Framlingham Town FC, speaking during the official switch on watched by Suffolk FA Football Development Manager Matt Stebbings (left) and Chief Executive Richard Neal (centre) on Tuesday night. Photograph: Dean Warner

Howard outlined why the floodlights will benefit the club.

“They will bring huge benefits to the football club. Cost savings will be the main one – we are looking at around 60% savings on energy costs alone, but also they are more durable and will last longer without needing maintenance or replacements. 

“The lights will also come on instantly and no longer have to be turned on for a period of time before needed. They will be more reliable, less breakdowns and fixtures having to be stopped or postponed. 

“The lux readings are much-improved and the quality of lighting is better for players, coaches and spectators. The lights will be of benefit to the environment free from toxic chemicals and are fully recyclable. 

“The lights will also make Framlingham a more suitable venue as a neutral ground for cup games. In addition to football, the Framlingham Flyers will use floodlights for winter training when running laps around the perimeter fencing which is well lit,” he said.

Suffolk FA Football Development Manager Matt Stebbings said: “It’s great to see the club get investment into the site, not just on the NLS side but over the past few years, huge investment into their youth grass pitch pitches, grass pitch machinery and goalposts through the Football Foundation Grass Pitch Maintenance Fund and Small Grants.

“On the NLS side, the Premier League Stadium Fund has supported the club with pitch permitter barrier and fencing, and now much-needed upgrades to their floodlight system to LEDs with brand new columns. The club have worked incredibly hard to improve the site for all ages and pathways.”

If clubs need support with funding and investment, please contact Suffolk FA Football Development Manager Matt Stebbings on 07432 735961 or email matt.stebbings@suffolkfa.com