Member Article

Basford United and Shoreham FC win share of Buildbase £100k Transfer Deal

Basford United and Shoreham FC are in for a major revamp after scoring the top prizes in the Buildbase £100k Transfer Deal 2020.

Each season the national competition gives away £100,000 worth of building materials to improve the facilities of four clubs playing in the Buildbase FA Trophy or Buildbase FA Vase.

Basford United and Shoreham FC are the latest winners to walk away with a £25,000 product bursary having successfully pitched their projects against four other finalists.

Basford United will triple the capacity of its clubhouse so that more community groups can use its facilities. Chairman, Chris Munroe explained:

“Our project is simple yet game changing and winning has made a lot of people happy. We will extend our clubhouse to make a much bigger space that everyone can use. We’ll open up during the day and early evenings for parties, corporate events and coffee mornings.

“Most non-league clubs live hand to mouth and make do with what they’ve got. The Buildbase scheme gives us an opportunity to pitch our dreams and secure crucial materials to meet our club and social objectives.

“We are in quite a deprived area and the needs for all will be massive as we come out of lockdown. Our current size means that we would not be able to operate under social distancing rules. We want to play our part in our community obligations that will be very evident, such as support for the elderly, unemployed and disabled.”

The judges from Buildbase and the FA praised Basford United for its ambition to grow both the inclusiveness of its teams and the community involvement. Buildbase judge and director Aisling Kenny said:

“We loved the story and passion that we felt from Basford United. They’re a well deserved winner and clearly in desperate need of the renovations, which would benefit a large number of people in youth and senior teams.”

Shoreham FC will use the building materials to improve facilities to attract more youth and girls teams. Volunteers will undertake the work. Co-chairman, Stuart Slaney explained:

“Schemes like the Buildbase programme are vital for grassroots football as they offer the opportunity to improve facilities and upkeep that is usually done by donations. We will repair our main changing rooms and those used by our girls’ teams to give them a dedicated area as well as renovate our West stand.

“It means so much to win, we can bring more girls into the club and increase activities for youngsters around the area and parents will be able to sit behind the goal and watch their kids play again, no matter what the weather.”

Judges praised Shoreham FC for its focus on encouraging more girls into the game. Aisling added:

“Shoreham FC is such a worthy winner. It’s a very family and community oriented club and it’s such a shame that the facilities are in a very poor state. The project will make a big difference to the day-to-day users of the club and the benefits will be significant. We very much liked the focus on female changing rooms and encouraging more girls to play.”

The £25,000 product bursary includes building, electrical and hire products, which will be provided by local Buildbase branches working with the clubs.

Buildbase has awarded £400,000 worth of building materials to improve non-league football club facilities since it became the title sponsor of the FA Trophy and Vase in 2016. Buildbase £100k Transfer Deal has already had two winners this season – Barton Rovers FC and Stowmarket Town FC.

Updates can be found by following @BuildbaseUK on Twitter #Buildbase100KDeal, on the Buildbase website or in branch.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Buildbase .