Always on
This project successfully funded on 28th May 2025, you can still support them with a donation.
St. Neot A.F.C Pitch Development Project
Bodmin, Cornwall, United Kingdom
Aim
St. Neot A.F.C now has a pitch at Mount, but it needs a lot of work to transform it from an agricultuaral field to a good quality pitch.
We are St. Neot. A.F.C.
'The New Saints'
'Mighty Oaks from little acorns grow'
We've moved on!
Football in St. Neot is now being played at Mount on land donated by a local farmer for the purpose. Formerly providing grazing for sheep, (and luscious grazing it must be, because we've had a couple of pitch invasions by discerning sheep) the field, opposite the Jubilee Hall, Mount, is now obviously a football pitch. It has goal posts (a donation from another local Club) nets, and ample parking. The Hall Committee has offered the use of the facilities there as a changing room for the St. Neot team, and Committee members provide refreshments during the game.
We have had generous support from sponsors with injections of capital which has enabled the purchase of a container fitted out as a drying room, which is used as a changing room by the visiting teams. Prior to this, both teams had share the Hall to change. Interesting! Erecting the goal posts, the team playing kit, polo shirts, and help with the costs of cutting the pitch have all been made possible by generous sponsors. Starting from literally ground level, we had no equipment, other than corner flags. However, we applied for funding for a line marking machine, an essential piece of kit, and that was successful, but keeping the lines marked is time consuming, and can be costly. Wet weather of the type we've had in recent weeks isn't conducive to retaining the lines. But, we've come a long way since May, when the pitch was first seeded and the original lines marked by GPS.
Buoyed by their success, the team members and interested others decided they would like to play more competitive football on Saturdays, in the St. Piran League.
A significant drawback is the lack of a home pitch near the village! This means that the two teams which have successfully formed have to travel away, and pay to use other facilities for both training and matches, in addition to match fees. That's a round trip for some players of up to 35 miles each time, with the added expense of not being able to play and train closer to home. However, to continue to play in the St. Piran League on Saturday, it is essential the Club has its own local pitch. This season has stretched the Club finances, and we need urgently to develop the pitch site ready for the 2025/2026 season. Determined not to give up, despite the financial and physical obstacles, the Club started looking for a suitable location to develop a pitch.
Covid has made all of us realise just how important outdoor spaces and access to sporting facilities in local communities are to our physical and mental health. Social engagement, building community through sport, encouraging people of all ages and abilities, especially those who wouldn’t necessarily have the opportunity to participate in team games, developing team skills and sportsmanship, all resulting in a greater feeling of community and increased mental well-being, especially for communities in rural areas, where public transport and access to facilities can be challenging. Club members have been approached about a women's football team, a children's football club, and Walking Football. All things are possible, but not without a pitch!
After a couple of false starts, a local farmer offered us the use of part of one of his fields in the village of Mount, just a couple of miles away. The added bonus is the field being located opposite the Mount Jubilee Hall, which the Hall Committee generously decided the Club could use as changing rooms. And, the offer includes arranging refreshments on match days, for team or spectators. Fantastic. We have a licence for the use of the ground from January 2025, and although this adds to the Club's costs, we have now got to raise the funds to bring this agricultural land up to the standard required for a high quality playable surface.
https://www.cornish-times.co.uk/sport/football/st-neot-afc-look-to-kick-on-after-finding-new-pitch-at-warleggan-760577
The farmers sheep are loving it!
All we have to do is prepare the ground, clearing unwanted vegetation and persistent weeds, apply a herbicide and do whatever else is necessary to form a level and appropriately seeded grass pitch! And that's just the beginning! After that, we need to carefully consider the needs of our visiting teams, and the provision of changing rooms and showers etc. Running the football club on tight margins has its challenges, but this isn't just about developing a pitch. It's about increasing opportunities for all in our local communities to participate in 'The Beautiful Game'. And to grow, not just the pitch, but a lasting amenity for our moorland villages.
The Committee, our team, supporters and are fully engaged in developing a community asset we believe will increase interest and participation in football for all, and everyone who helps is a volunteer. This project is going to require much more help, that's why we've started this crowdfunding appeal. This is where you come in. The enthusiasm and interest needs to be converted into something that our players and community can be proud of. Every penny you donate will help towards the costs of all the ground preparation needed, to create a pitch as a legacy for future generations.
Our top reward! Read on to check out the details!
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made