People living in Wisbech St Mary are set to benefit from fresh investment into local grassroots sports facilities, thanks to a £978,583 grant from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation.

This investment will enable Wisbech St Mary Sports & Community Centre to create a new stadia 3G pitch.

This new facility will ensure the local community can access quality training and matchday facilities, enhancing the current offer at Wisbech St Mary.

The pitch will provide additional opportunities for women and girls and disabled participants to play football, and Wisbech St Mary Football Club will also be providing various additional recreational opportunities, creating an inclusive community football hub in Fenland.

These improved facilities will represent a significant improvement on the existing facilities and will help to preserve the grass pitches which are heavily used by 22 teams.

The site will be used by Wisbech St Mary Football Club, Wisbech St Mary C of E Academy, local community groups and Cambridgeshire FA.

This project has also been supported by an additional £156,000 from Wisbech St Mary Community Centre, Wisbech St Mary Football club and The Hudson Trust.

Paul Albutt, trustee of the Wisbech St Mary Sports & Community Centre said: “We currently run 22 football teams for children and adults.

"This grant will enable us to expand our football offer to more people of all ages within our local community including disabled and walking football.

"We will also be able to offer casual turn up and play sessions for all. We are looking to introduce a full-time football scholarship programme in conjunction with a local partner.

"These are certainly exciting times ahead for Wisbech St Mary and we thank the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation and Cambridgeshire FA for showing faith in our project.”