Arsenal legend Lee Dixon has helped to join the fight to save British grassroots football.
The former right-back has joined forces with the Budweiser Club Futures Programme, a grant scheme for non-league clubs in steps 5–7 of the English football pyramid which is pumping money into grassroots football.
As part of the scheme, The FA and Budweiser will give eight grants of £50,000 to clubs across the country per season over the next two years, with Dixon on hand to pay a surprise visit to his local club, Harpenden Town FC.
“My son played for Harpenden Colts from under-9s upwards, so the club are close to my heart,” Dixon told The Independent. “I used to live in Harpenden and he played there for many years. So I was happy to suggest them as a recipient for this award.”
The former England international turned up completely unannounced to award groundsman and club chairman, Roman Motyczak, £10k to invest in the local club’s ground and equipment.
“We got in contact with the club and everything was organised very quickly. And before I knew it I was down on the pitch talking to the chairman, Roman, and it was a surprise for him,” Dixon added.
“The initiative is a brilliant grassroots grant that I didn’t hesitate to get involved in because when I was growing up we had pretty bad pitches. There are seemingly even less pitches around now, so anything that can help is close to my heart.
“Going back to Harpenden obviously brought back a lot of memories of standing on the touchline with my flat cap on, watching my son. So it was great to get involved.”
Dixon’s surprise visit to Rothamsted Park follows the FA’s Groundsman of the Year Awards, where the contribution of unsung heroes who ensure thousands of matches can take place on a high standard of playing surface is recognised.
