Community Football: Three clubs join forces to safeguard futures

East Bierley AFC and Hunsworth AFC have joined forces with rugby league outfit Birkenshaw Bluedogs to form a new sports association.
East Bierley AFC, Hunsworth AFC and Birkenshaw Bluedogs ARLFC members celebrate after securing funding to revamp the clubs' sports facilities.East Bierley AFC, Hunsworth AFC and Birkenshaw Bluedogs ARLFC members celebrate after securing funding to revamp the clubs' sports facilities.
East Bierley AFC, Hunsworth AFC and Birkenshaw Bluedogs ARLFC members celebrate after securing funding to revamp the clubs' sports facilities.

The East Bierley Community Sports Association Ltd (EBCSA) has been set-up as a way of improving, updating and safeguarding sporting facilities at the East Bierley Playing Fields site.

Already EBCSA has secured funding from Sport England and the Football Stadia Improvement Fund that will go towards the cost of building new facilities.

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However, the balance of the capital needed will come as a £175,000 loan from Kirklees Council, which has been agreed over a 20-year period along with the asset transfer of the grounds which EBCSA have now agreed as a 125-year lease.

EBCSA secretary Simon Armitage said: “The coming together of these three teams goes to show how strong our community is in and around Birkenshaw, East Bierley and Hunsworth. We’ve shown that we’re stronger together and, hopefully, that mentality will inspire both the juniors at our respective clubs, and other sports teams across the region.”

He added: “The sports facilities are used by hundreds of people every year [with an estimated 22,000 spectators across the year].

“We’re absolutely ecstatic that the funding, investment and loan has been secured and building work can begin on new, modern facilities.”

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Local construction firm Britannia Ltd are preparing to get to work. Any other businesses who can help the association in terms of the loan or subsequent developments, should contact enquiries@ebcsa for more details.

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