If the goalposts are for use on a 3rd generation (3G) artificial grass pitch, the pitch should be certified for use and be listed on The FA’s 3G Pitch Register.

The FA and British Standards Institution (BSI), in conjunction with manufacturers, have developed standards for goalposts – EN16579 and BS EN 748.

Your supplier must ensure that the goalposts you’re seeking to purchase meet this standard. You must then ensure they’re correctly installed in accordance with manufacturer requirements. Further details on goalpost safety can be found here.

We’d strongly recommend that for safety and security reasons, all goalposts are safely removed and stored when they aren’t in use.

If you’re seeking a grant to purchase five or more sets of goalposts for a site, your application will be referred to our Delivery Manager so that they can get in touch to discuss your application in more detail.

The maximum grant you can apply for will depend on the size of goalposts you are purchasing:

• 2.44m x 7.32m (Adult 11 v 11) – a maximum grant amount of £1,200 per set of goalposts (or 75% grant up to the maximum grant value) based on a typical average purchase price of £1,600 including carriage, but excluding VAT.
• 2.13m x 6.40m (Youth 11 v 11) – a maximum grant amount of £1,200 per set of goalposts (or 75% grant up to the maximum grant value) based on a typical average purchase price of £1,600 including carriage, but excluding VAT.
• 2.13m x 4.88m (9 v 9) – a maximum grant amount of £900 per set of goalposts (or 75% grant up to the maximum grant value) based on a typical average purchase price of £1,200 including carriage, but excluding VAT.
• 1.83m x 3.66m (7 v 7 / 5 v 5) – a maximum grant amount of £900 per set of goalposts (or 75% grant up to the maximum grant value) based on a recommended purchase price of £1,200 including carriage, but excluding VAT.
• 2m x 3m (Futsal) – a maximum grant amount of £600 per set of goalposts (or 75% grant up to the maximum grant value) based on a recommended purchase price of £800 including carriage, but excluding VAT.

If you’re not able to reclaim the VAT, this should be included in your total project cost. The grant amount will be adjusted accordingly. For example:

A club needs a new set (this is one pair of goalposts) of 11 v 11 goalposts and sees some online that are priced at £1,920 including VAT. The club enters this price on the application form and applies to the Foundation for a grant of £1,440 as 75% of the total project cost. The club contributes £480 (25%).

Please note: As of 1 July 2023, we will only accept applications from people holding the role of either Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary or Treasurer of the club applying. This will be verified with the County FA during the assessment process and any applications submitted by people not in one of these roles will be withdrawn.

Tenure required

There are no tenure requirements for the purchase of goalposts.

Suppliers

You’ll need to identify the size of goalposts you wish to purchase and submit the online application form detailing the preferred chosen supplier, number of pairs (not individual goals), size, price, VAT (if applicable) and quantity.

It is important your chosen goalposts meet British Standards (BSEN 748: 2013 and 2018 and BS EN 16579:2018). You may be asked to evidence this when claiming your grant.

Documents required

No other documents are required for your application to be assessed. You will have to confirm as part of the application form that you’re able to provide the balance of partnership funding. You may be asked to provide a copy of the delivery note and final invoice as part of the claims process.

Once you’ve submitted your application, we’ll send you a confirmation email. Your application will then be assessed by our Grant Management Team and you’ll receive an email normally within five working days with a link to download your decision letter and T&Cs on your Football Foundation account.

Robert Sullivan, CEO of the Football Foundation said: “This year, the Football Foundation will provide more great places to play than ever before.

“Good quality facilities not only have a transformative impact on physical and mental wellbeing, but also play an important role in bringing people together and strengthening local communities from the roots up.

“Thanks to the support we receive from our partners at the Premier League, The FA and Government, the Football Foundation is ready to deliver the facility improvements that every community needs and deserves.”

Over the next 12 months, we’ll be launching exciting new programmes to ensure our support is reaching those who need it most, including:

• Opening the first Football Foundation PlayZone, which are small-sided pitches designed by and for the local communities in which they’re located.
• Delivering new state-of-the-art Hubs that enable people to play all-year round – whether it’s a wet and dark winter night or a sunny summer’s day.
• Harnessing the inspirational power of the Lionesses by providing women and girls with equal access to opportunities to play.

Click the button below to find out more and apply for our full line up of support.

You don’t have to be a football club to apply to the Football Foundation, however grassroots football must be an integral part of your offer.

Applicants will need to complete a PitchPower inspection for all their pitches that’ll be improved using the machinery/equipment before they can apply. Further details on PitchPower can be found here or please speak to your County FA.

Where the works involve the installation of a piped drainage system, the project should be professionally designed and managed by a suitably qualified sports pitch consultant. Organisations such as the Grounds Management Association (GMA), Sports and Play Construction Association (SAPCA) and The Register of Independent Professional Turfgrass Agronomists (RIPTA) all hold lists of experts in sports pitch construction. Fees for this service can be included within your grant application.

Where a piped drainage installation is discharging into a ditch or other watercourse, permission from the Environment Agency or your local authority may be required. If so, this must be in place before your application is submitted.

We’ll also require written confirmation of the landlord’s consent to undertake the proposed works, unless you own the facility, or the landlord is included as a joint applicant.

We’re not able to fund works deemed as ‘routine maintenance’. For enhanced annual pitch improvement works, separate grants are available.

As a result of the works, it’ll be expected that grass pitches will be maintained to achieve the GMA’s ‘Good’ pitch quality standard and you’ll be required to continue to submit pitch data through PitchPower annually. Details of the Grounds Management Association Pitch Grading  Framework can be found here.

Tenure requirements

We’ll ask you to demonstrate that you have the required ownership, by either freehold, or uninterruptable leasehold from the date of grant offer for a varying period, for a length of time dependent on the grant amount:

• Up to £25,000 – 5 years
• £25,001 up to £100,000 – 10 years

Document requirements

To ensure your application is processed you should include the following documents:

• Photographs of the pitches, indicating the problem to be resolved via the proposed works
• PitchPower Assessment Report
• Where a piped drainage installation is being proposed, a feasibility study and specification of works from a qualified agronomist or sports pitch consultant
• Plans / drawings / specification / schedule of works
• Two like-for-like quotations from an experienced contractor, based upon the specification
• Evidence of partnership funding
• Environment Agency / local authority approval (if applicable) / Landlord consent to the works

Once your application and supporting documentation have been submitted, you’ll receive a confirmation email. Your application will be assessed by our Grant Management Team who’ll contact you to discuss your application if they have any queries.

Assessment will typically take around two weeks. You’ll then receive a notification by email that your decision letter (and any associated terms and conditions) is available for download from your Football Foundation account.

You don’t have to be a football club to apply to the Football Foundation, however grassroots football must be an integral part of your offer.

Due to the many varied works that may be required to improve a changing pavilion or clubhouse, we ask that you speak to your County FA or Foundation Delivery Manager prior to submission.

They‘ll be able to clarify, with the support of the Foundation’s Technical team, if all the elements of the application meet the eligible criteria and also clarify the level of information and detail that should be submitted with the application. A question within the application form will ask you to confirm that you’ve been in touch.

Ideally, we require grant applications to be accompanied by an independent condition survey or inspection report of the facility which clearly recommends the works that need to be undertaken. If this isn’t available, alternative evidence of the need will be required, which must include photographs highlighting the issue, or the condition of the current facilities.

We’ll ask you to submit specifications and drawings that clearly detail the scope of the proposed works. They should comply with the Football Foundation minimum design requirements unless otherwise agreed in writing. Further guidance can be found here.

Planning permission may be required for your improvement work, so please check with your Local Authority and ensure this is in place before you apply for funding from us. You’ll need to provide evidence that planning permission has been obtained or written confirmation from the Local Authority that planning permission isn’t required. Further guidance regarding planning permission can be found here.

You may also require Building Regulations approval. If so, upon completion of the works, we’ll require a final certificate from the Local Building Control Officer (or Approved Inspector) that confirms the works comply with Building Regulations. Further information regarding the Building Regulations can be found here.

The statutory fees payable for securing planning permission and Building Regulations approval may be included in your grant application as an eligible cost of the project. Professional fees for design and management services are also eligible.

Routine maintenance works such as unblocking drains, minor roof repairs, repainting, or replacement floor coverings aren’t considered eligible for grants as individual projects. However, if these form part of a larger refurbishment project, then they may be considered eligible.

Upon completion, we’ll require copies of mechanical and electrical test certificates for electrical, fire alarm, heating and hot water installation works prior to the release of the final 5% of the grant.

We’ll also require written confirmation of the landlord’s consent to undertake the proposed works, unless you own the facility, or the landlord is included as a joint applicant.

Please note: As of 1 July 2023, we will only accept applications from people holding the role of either Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary or Treasurer of the club applying. This will be verified with the County FA during the assessment process and any applications submitted by people not in one of these roles will be withdrawn.

Tenure required

We’ll ask you to demonstrate that you have the required ownership, by either freehold, or uninterruptible leasehold from the date of grant offer for a varying period, for a length of time dependent on the grant amount:

•    Up to £25,000 – 5 years
•    £25,001 up to £100,000 – 10 years

Documents required

To ensure your application is processed, you should include the following documents:

• Photographs of the existing building or works to be completed Condition survey of the existing building (if required)
• Plans and drawings of the existing building configuration and as proposed
• Specification and schedule of works
• A minimum of two like-for-like quotations from experienced contractors, based upon the design details and specification
• Evidence of additional partnership funding
• Evidence of security of tenure in the form of a signed lease or freehold title document
• Planning approval notice Landlord’s consent to the works
• Building regulations approval where required
• Building and contents insurance

Once you’ve submitted your application and supporting documents, you’ll receive a confirmation email. Your application will be assessed by our Grant Management Team who’ll be in contact if they have any queries about your application.

Assessment will typically take around four weeks if all the required information has been provided. You’ll then receive a notification by email that your decision letter (and any associated terms and conditions) is available for download from your Football Foundation account.

You don’t have to be a football club to apply to the Football Foundation, however grassroots football must be an integral part of your offer.

To apply for a grant, you’ll need to provide an explanation for why you’re proposing to purchase portable floodlights and demonstrate your training area can cope with additional use (e.g. how usage will be rotated to ensure one area isn’t over-used). Funding won’t be provided to purchase floodlights on grass pitches that are used for matchplay.

If your organisation is a partner on an existing or proposed Football Foundation 3G FTP, we require evidence on why these portable floodlights were required. If we’ve made a significant investment into a 3G FTP on the basis of your organisation being a key partner, we’d require written assurance that this floodlight investment would not have any negative impact on the 3G site and isn’t to the detriment to their Site Development or Business Plan.

If successful with your application, we ask that:

• Floodlights are covered by suitable insurance and securely stored when not in use

The floodlights should be stored securely at the applicant’s site as named in the grant application. Purchasing and storing equipment off site or at a personal residence is not permitted.

• Floodlights are only used by suitably trained personnel, over the age of 18, and will be operated and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations
• If they’re previously owned, the equipment should be purchased from a reputable dealer, with a minimum 12-month warranty

Please note: As of 1 July 2023, we will only accept applications from people holding the role of either Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary or Treasurer of the club applying. This will be verified with the County FA during the assessment process and any applications submitted by people not in one of these roles will be withdrawn.