New pitch for Saintfield United

New pitch for Saintfield United

22 May 2019

A NEW era is set to dawn for Saintfield United at the weekend.

That’s when the club officially open a new grass pitch and car parking facilities at their Pigeon Hill base on the Comber Road. 

Noted for its cross-community work, the club currently fields two adult teams in the Amateur League and one in the Newcastle League. 

In addition, the cub’s junior section fields four teams and also operates a mini-soccer scheme for children of primary school age. 

Due to a lack of public football facilities in Saintfield, only the first and second teams play their competitive football in the village by renting a pitch from the education authority. 

The club secured significant funding from Newry, Mourne and Down Council, and the Alpha Programme, administered by Ground Work NI, to assist with the costs of the initial work and club chairman Andy Bishop is grateful for their help.

“This development is the culmination of years of planning, which wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of our members who have held numerous fundraising events,“ he said.

“We are extremely grateful to Newry, Mourne and Down Council and the Alpha Programme for their funding support.

“I would also like to thank the entire Saintfield community, including the Saintfield Development Association, for their backing throughout.”

Club president Jim Spratt echoed those remarks and said he could not wait to see the facility being used.

“I am delighted that we have developed this new pitch which will provide our club and the village of Saintfield with a first class facility for generations to come,” he enthused.

“I cannot wait to see competitive football being played here next season.” 

In order to fund the remaining cost of the redevelopment work, the club has undertaken a series of fundraising initiatives, the latest taking place on June 15 when over 20 volunteers from the club will be taking part in a relay event which will see them cumulatively run 100 kilometres through the Mourne Mountains. 

Ten teams will run 10k each, starting in Clough and reaching Kilbroney Park in Rostrevor before returning to Clough.

New funding will enable the club to push ahead with an extension to the clubhouse, new storage facilities and the construction of a floodlit training area and new mini-soccer junior pitch.

Club treasurer David Morrow is adamant that all the hard work so far has been worth it.

“The new pitch has certainly generated a buzz about the club and we are starting to reap the benefits of enhanced facilities as our membership is definitely expanding,” he said.

“There is still a lot of work to be done, but I am convinced that the new pitch will help bring on our young players and that bodes well for the future of the club.”

The club would be grateful for any sponsorship. Access their justgiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/saintfield-century.