I met with CEO Richard Scudamore at the Football Premier League’s Headquarters in London earlier this week to discuss issues and opportunities for our national game and to hear about the work of the Football Foundation.
At the meeting I was told how the state of British football has strengthened over the last 20 years with Premier League revenues growing from £40million to £1.6billion and stadium occupancy increasing from 70% to 96%. The Premier League has signed 84 international TV broadcast contracts and 5% of all Premier League revenues are ploughed back in to supporting non-Premier League clubs, community projects and good causes which benefit every part of the UK including here in Worcestershire.
We all know how important football is to our national culture but I was fascinated to hear how much Football contributes to our economy and exports. There was no doubting Richard Scudamore’s passion not only for the game, but for the good causes the Premier League’s strong financial position enables it to support via the Football Foundation.
In the last 5 years the Football Foundation has funded over £2.1million worth of projects in the Mid Worcestershire constituency alone, ranging from a grant of £470 towards new goal posts for Upton Snodsbury FC to £42,000 towards improvement of grass pitches at Droitwich Spa High School and nearly £1million towards the new Evesham United stadium.
If you are interested in applying for a Football Foundation grant you can find out more information at www.footballfoundation.org.uk