Ground upgrades officially unveiled for Bearsted FC

Kent FA Chairman, Philip Smith, officially unveils the upgraded facilities at Bearsted FC.

A series of improvements made to Bearsted FC’s home, Otham Sports Ground, were officially unveiled recently (Saturday 13 April). The works were made possible by investment from the Premier League, which has been delivered by the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF).

Having been crowned champions of the Kent Invicta League in 2016, the club gained promotion to the Premier Division of the Southern Counties East Football League. The ground improvements were required to ensure that Bearsted FC meet Grade G of the FA National Ground Grading Criteria.

The investment has allowed Bearsted FC to carry out an array of renovation works across three different elements. The club have installed a new floodlight system, an additional seated covered stand to take the capacity up to 100 spectators and installed concrete hardstanding to all four sides of the ground. 

Bearsted FC were founded in 1895 and are one of the oldest clubs in Kent. Originally playing on Bearsted Green, the club moved to Honey Lane, Otham in 1998 to enable them to compete in the Premier Division of the Kent County League.

The club were awarded FA Charter Status in 2005 and currently runs approximately 20 teams including a development squad at Roseacre School for five to seven-year-olds.

The project was made possible by a £59,801 grant from the Premier League, which is delivered through the Football Stadia Improvement Fund – the sister organisation of the Football Foundation.

Peter McCormick OBE, Chairman of the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, said: “I’m delighted that investment from the Premier League has been able to support Bearsted FC to carry out an array of works to their home ground. The improvements made at Otham Sports Ground will no doubt help the club to continue developing in the future.

“The FSIF directs money from the Premier League into improving the standard of lower-league stadia. This is helping to develop the provision of football at lower levels of the game and make facilities safer. Congratulations to the club for securing this funding.”

For more information about the Football Stadia Improvement Fund in Kent, please contact Lee Suter (Football Development Manager) on Lee.Suter@KentFA.com or on 01622 792140.