COLCHESTER UTD GET £2M FSIF CASH BOOST FOR NEW COMMUNITY STADIUM AT LIVERPOOL PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY

Colchester United Football Club received a welcome pre-season boost with the news that the project to build a brand new all-seater community stadium which they will relocate to has been awarded a £2m grant from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund.

Lord Pendry, President of the Football Foundation, presented a cheque for £2m to Colchester United Life President Peter Heard and Cllr Robert Davidson, Leader of Colchester Borough Council before the game at the U’s home friendly match against Liverpool on Saturday 28th July.

Once it is built, fans at the new 10,000-seater community stadium will be able to enjoy state-of-the-art football stands, as well as all players’ and directors’ areas, 24 hospitality boxes, concourses, concessions, provisions for press and media, bars, space for a future restaurant and a 200sqm community area. It is designed so it can be expanded to seat 18,000 if required in the future.

The community stadium is part of a major development alongside the A12 trunk road that includes a hotel, restaurants, a pub, business units and 150 houses.

The Council has agreed to undertake £10 million Prudential Borrowing to meet the total £14 million project cost with further welcome support offered by EEDA (£1m) and the Department of Communities and Local Government (£1m) alongside the £2 million Football Stadia Improvement Fund grant.

Over £90m has already been invested by the Football Stadia Improvement Fund since its launch in July 2000, funding lower league ground improvements throughout professional and amateur game, creating a safe and modern environment for fans and players to enjoy the game.

Lord Pendry said: “I am delighted to present Colchester United and Colchester Borough Council with £2m for their new community stadium. Colchester United are a real family club who have worked in partnership with the Football Foundation on projects in their local community. The new ground will be an excellent new home for their loyal fans.”

U’s Chief Executive Marie Partner said: “As a major project for the town of Colchester, Colchester United feel that the support of the Football Foundation, and their contribution towards the funding of a new home for the club, has played a major supporting role in providing a facility for us to develop and grow."

Cllr Robert Davidson, Leader of Colchester Borough Council, added: “The community stadium is a major part of an exciting transformation which will help create a 21st Century improved Colchester. The community stadium will offer facilities for residents and visitors alike, as well as a new home for our championship football club Colchester United.”