CoronavirusMertonNews

Old Rutlishians AFC in Merton given £2k boost after coronavirus financial losses

A football club received a £2,000 boost after suffering financial losses during the pandemic.

Merton Football Club, Old Rutlishians AFC were awarded a £1,500 Pitch Preparation Fund and a £500 Club Preparation Fund from the Premier League, The FA and the Government’s Football Foundation.

The Pitch Preparation Fund will help Old Ruts, who play in the Surrey South Eastern Combination League, with costs of materials and works to help prepare a match-fit pitch.

The Club Preparation Fund will also help the club prepare their buildings to safely reopen for FA’s plans for a ‘phased return’ in line with government’s guidance around hygiene and social distancing,

Gavin Lennard, a Trustee of the Old Rutlishians, said: “We are delighted to have received this funding from the Football Foundation, their support of grassroots clubs provides a massive boost for community clubs.”

Robert Sullivan, Interim Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, added: “This is a vital grant to help the Old Rutlishians get their pitch match-fit.

“The Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation exists to help provide quality infrastructure at the lower-levels of the game.

“Pitch Preparation Fund grants like this one are giving a helping hand to clubs across the country to get their playing surfaces ready for when the game is allowed to begin again following government advice.”

The Football Foundation is a charity funded by the Premier League, The FA and the Government, through Sport England.

Pictured top: Craig Wellstead, chairman of the football club, Faye Carruthers of Talksport, and Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond


Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.


Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.

Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:

“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”

If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.