Following a £525,000 cash injection from Barclays and support from the Football Foundation, a new artificial grass pitch has been installed with floodlighting, fencing and access paths. The site, just two miles from Pride Park Stadium and named after Derby County legend Steve Bloomer, provides a range of activities for the local community including football, cricket and hockey.
With the backing of Derby County FC the site is part of a £30million investment from the Barclays Spaces for Sports initiative to create sustainable sports facilities across the UK. The project will receive a further £45,000 from Barclays to ensure the sustainability of the site plus kit and equipment worth £5,000.
Since the announcement of the scheme in September 2004, Barclays Spaces for Sports has opened more than 150 sites and awarded more than 3,450 coaching packs to local communities up and down the country, giving over 420,000 disadvantaged people the opportunity to benefit from sport.
Derby County FC Manager Billy Davies, said: “I think it’s great that Barclays Spaces for Sports is investing in this site, which is the first home of the club and close to Pride Park. The facility will give lots of people the opportunity to try new sports and activities and hopefully we’ll see some Derby stars of the future using the new site.”
