Work kicks off on Kettering football pitch after £1m funding secured

Work has begun on replacing a football pitch in Kettering, after securing over £1m in funding for the project.

The upgraded pitch at the Thurston Drive site will include a 3G astroturf surface, new fencing, LED floodlights, a spectator area and a refurbished pavilion.

It is funded through a combination of contributions, including £50,000 from the Northamptonshire Football Association, £150,000 from North Northamptonshire Council and £810,330 from the Premier League, FA and Government’s Football Foundation via The Lionesses Futures Fund.

Councillor Helen Howell, deputy leader of North Northamptonshire Council and executive member for sports, leisure, culture, and tourism, joined contractors and representatives from Northamptonshire FA and the Football Foundation to officially begin the project.

Howell said: “A huge amount of work has gone on behind the scenes to get to the construction stage of the Thurston Drive Kettering football pitch replacement and pavilion refurbishment project.

This is a fantastic collaboration between all parties looking to find the best outcome for the much-needed refurbishment of this site in the heart of Kettering. I’d like to thank our funding partners, the Football Foundation and Northamptonshire Football Association, as well as the council’s Leisure Services team, for the most impressive progress to date.

“I’m thrilled to be able to launch the football pitch replacement construction phase of the project, which when completed, will serve as a fantastic footballing leisure resource for not only women, and girls but the wider local community groups for years to come.”