Always on
This project successfully funded on 10th January 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
St Albans AFC Pitch Safety & Security Fund
Cardiff, United Kingdom
Aim
To secure our pitch, protect players and reclaim our space for safe, inclusive football. No more Motorbikes, Horses or Antisocial Behaviour!
St Albans AFC is a proud grassroots football club based in Cardiff, dedicated to fostering a love for the game across all ages and abilities. With a strong community spirit at its core, the club offers a welcoming environment for players, coaches, and families alike. From our thriving mini teams to our committed senior squads, we focus on development, teamwork, and respect—on and off the pitch.
Our volunteer-led committee works tirelessly to support the club’s growth, organise events, and maintain high standards across training and match days. Whether you’re a budding young footballer or a lifelong supporter, St Albans AFC is more than just a club—it’s a place to belong, grow, and celebrate the beautiful game.
Why are we crowdfunding?
We are crowdfunding for Security Fencing.
🔒 Why Security Fencing Matters for St Albans AFC
Installing security fencing around our pitch is essential to protect both our players and our facilities. Here’s how it will make a meaningful difference:
• Player Safety: Fencing creates a secure boundary that prevents unauthorised access during training, matches, reducing risks from stray animals, vehicles, or individuals entering the pitch.
• Safeguarding Children: As a club with thriving youth teams, fencing helps us meet safeguarding standards by ensuring children play in a controlled, protected environment.
• Preventing Vandalism and Damage: It deters vandalism, fly-tipping, and misuse of the pitch during off-hours—saving the club money and preserving the quality of our playing surface.
• Supporting Inclusivity: A secure pitch encourages participation from families who may otherwise feel hesitant about safety, especially for younger children or those with additional needs.
• Enabling Community Events: With fencing in place, we can host events, tournaments, and outreach sessions with confidence, knowing the space is safe and manageable.
Installing security fencing around our pitch is not just about protecting the grass—it’s about protecting the people, the passion, and the potential of St Albans AFC.
🛑 Ending Disruption and Danger
• No more horses grazing on the pitch, which damages the surface and creates unsafe playing conditions.
• No more motorbikes tearing across the field, putting players and coaches at serious risk and disrupting training sessions.
• No more antisocial behaviour, including gang activity and drug use in and around our dugouts, which threatens the safety of children, families, and volunteers.
🌱 Creating Space to Thrive
• A secure pitch gives our youth teams a safe, focused environment to train, learn, and grow—without fear or distraction.
• It allows us to host matches, tournaments, and community events confidently, knowing the space is protected and welcoming.
• It encourages more families to get involved, knowing their children are playing in a safeguarded setting.
🤝 Supporting Growth and Inclusion
• With fencing in place, we can expand our outreach to include more diverse groups—girls’ teams, disability football, and community sessions—without worrying about external threats.
• It helps us meet safeguarding standards and build trust with parents, schools, and local organisations.
💪 Building a Stronger Club
• Less damage means lower maintenance costs and more funds available for coaching, equipment, and development.
• A secure facility strengthens our reputation and opens doors to funding, partnerships, and long-term sustainability.
How we’ll spend the money raised
We plan on installing welded mesh anti-climb security fencing to fully enclose the pitch perimeter, this type of fencing gives us a secure pitch and importantly doesn’t spoil anyone’s view of the game, or park it sits within.
Galvanised and powder-coated finish (green colour to blend in with surroundings)
Installation of 1 large double-leaf vehicle gate for mowers, equipment and emergency access
Installation of a lockable pedestrian access gate.
Site preparation and groundwork compliance with relevant safety and quality standards throughout the project
Removal and disposal of any debris generated during installation.
🌍 Community Impact: Beyond the Club
Securing the pitch at St Albans AFC will unlock powerful benefits—not just for our players, but for the entire community.
⚽ For the Football Club
• Safe, uninterrupted training and matches for all age groups, from youth teams to senior squads.
• Expanded opportunities for inclusive football, including introduction of girls’ teams, veteran teams and disability sessions, and community outreach.
• Improved safeguarding standards, giving parents and carers confidence in the environment their children play in.
• Stronger club reputation, attracting new members, volunteers, and potential sponsors.
🏫 For Local Schools
• By securing the pitch, we can offer dedicated slots to nearby schools, giving pupils access to high-quality outdoor space for PE, sports days, and enrichment activities.
• Schools without their own facilities can benefit from a safe, well-maintained pitch—supporting physical health, teamwork, and social development.
• It opens doors for collaborative programmes, such as coaching clinics, tournaments, and after-school football sessions led by qualified club volunteers.
🤝 For the Wider Community
• A secure pitch becomes a community hub, hosting events, fundraisers, and inclusive activities for all ages.
• It helps tackle antisocial behaviour by reclaiming the space for positive use, reducing the presence of gangs, drug use, and vandalism.
• It promotes health, wellbeing, and social connection, especially in areas where safe outdoor spaces are limited.
How you can play your part
There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.
1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!
2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.
3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!
4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made