TEAMWORK SCORES FOR SALFORD COMMUNITY

A popular Salford pitch and pavilion are to get a £750,000 facelift thanks to teamwork.

Local charity Albert's of Salford has leased the 3G artificial pitch and pavilion in Albert Park, off Great Clowes Street, Broughton for almost 20 years from Salford City Council which owns the facilities. Together they made a joint bid to the Football Foundation for a refurbishment grant, with the council undertaking to guarantee any shortfall between the grant and cost of the project. 

That enabled Albert's to secure a £603,495 grant from the Football Foundation and raise the extra £150,000 needed from its own investment fund and successful bids to other charitable trusts and grant givers including the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation and Humphrey Booth Charities.

Councillor Barbara Bentham, lead member for environment, neighbourhoods and sport and leisure said:

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"I'm delighted with the result. These facilities are already very well used by local sports teams, community groups and residents. Refurbishing them will not only provide a better experience for them but will open up even more opportunities for people including children from local schools."

Bob Hinder, chair of the trustees of Albert's said:

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"Albert's of Salford has been making a significant contribution to health and well-being, community cohesion and public safety in and around Albert Park for almost twenty years.

"Even with the best stewardship the facilities are now past their best and it was vital that the pitch and changing facilities were upgraded. A new pitch and improvements to the pavilion will ensure we continue to meet community sports and recreational needs for the next twenty years.

"Without the commitment of the Football Foundation to community-led sport and recreational facilities, and without the involvement of Salford City Council, which stepped forward at an early stage to guarantee any shortfall in funds, contractors could not have been appointed and work scheduled for completion by October. Our sincere thanks go to everyone who has contributed including service users, the funders and Salford City Council."

 

Kim Shaw, who has managed the facility since Alberts became a community interest company in 2007, added:

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"We have built up a strong relationship with many Football Association registered teams and clubs such as Barr Hill FC, community organisations like Salford Welcome and Village football club, informal groups, churches and schools. 

"We host many community events and festivals such as the Refugee World Cup. Over 700 individuals use Albert's each week and we strive to provide a good quality, well-maintained and safe environment which promotes mutual respect among our diverse communities."

 

Whilst most regular organised users book the facilities in the evenings and weekends, day-time users of the pitch and pavilion include Foundation 92 (F92), an independent charity linked to Salford City FC, which delivers a range of education, mentoring and well-being programmes on site.

Alberts became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in 2021, a combined registered charity and company limited by guarantee.