BURNHAM United AFC are celebrating after being awarded a £1,500 Grow the Game grant, something that has attracted praise from England manager Gareth Southgate.

The grant, which aims to provide a boost to grassroots football in Burnham-on-Sea, has paved the way for Burnham United to create a fourth team, with the goal of creating opportunities for young players (Under-21s), making the transition from junior to adult football.

England boss and Football Foundation Ambassador Southgate said: “I am so pleased that Burnham United AFC has secured this Grow the Game grant.

“The club has worked very hard with Somerset FA and the Football Foundation to get more local people playing football so that they can enjoy the many physical and mental benefits that come with playing regular sport.”

Grow the Game is a £2.5m programme funded by The FA and the Football Foundation, which awards grants to grassroots football clubs that wish to create new teams, especially amongst under-represented groups.

A total of £1,500 is available to help FA-affiliated clubs with the cost of creating a new team, which might include the cost of FA coaching courses, FA league affiliation costs, referees’ fees, first aid kits and even football kit and equipment.

Club chairman Matt Counsell said: “At Burnham United AFC we have benefited from a high number of Under-16s joining the club from Burnham United Juniors in the last 18 months.

“Thanks to the support from both the Football Foundation and Somerset FA, this funding has allowed us to start a fourth team which will allow us to provide more football opportunities for these players and other Under-21s locally.”

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PRE-SEASON is well underway at United, who began training around six weeks ago and have seen strong turnouts to date.

The first team played their first friendly against Staplegrove last night - drawing 1-1 thanks to Jordie Eldridge's goal - while the Reserves side entertain Churchill tonight.