FLOODLIGHTS SWITCH-ON AT MOUSEHOLE AFC THIS FRIDAY EVENING

[Dave Deacon]

As received from Andrew Large, Mousehole

FLOODLIGHTS SWITCH-ON AT MOUSEHOLE AFC THIS FRIDAY EVENING

Mousehole v Porthleven

SWP (Walter C Parson) League Cup, 2^nd Round

Friday 25^th October, Floodlights switch-on 6.30pm, Kick off 7.30pm

 

Mousehole AFC switch on their brand-new floodlights at around 6.30pm this Friday, 25^th October 2019, prior to the ‘local derby’ League Cup second round tie against Porthleven kicking off at 7.30pm.

 

The two local rivals have already met twice this season, a 2-2 draw in the league and a 6-0 win for Mousehole in the Cornwall Charity Cup, both at Porthleven’s Gala Parc.

 

Mousehole’s new floodlights have been made possible by investment from the Premier League, which has been delivered by the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF), the sister organisation of the Football Foundation.  The club was awarded an £80k grant for various improvements, with the floodlights’ cost taking up the majority of the grant. 

 

The investment follows Mousehole’s promotion this season to the Kitchen Kit South West Peninsula Premier League West at Step 6 of the National League System, following the FA’s re-structuring of the leagues at Steps 6 and 7.  It enables the club to comply with the higher league regulations and to expand the training and match availability for their senior and youth teams.  The club currently runs three senior teams - two male and one female - along with a thriving youth section with over 200 participants.

 

The floodlights are the latest addition to the ever-developing facilities at Trungle Parc, which have recently included clubhouse refurbishment, major ground reconstruction and pitch improvement, all maintained by volunteers including ‘Groundsman of the Year’ Billy Jacka.

 

The FSIF, funded with £6.5m each year from the Premier League, is the country’s largest provider of grants for improvements to the comfort and safety of lower-league football grounds in both the professional and amateur game. These improvements range from new football stands and turnstiles to floodlighting and improved provision for disabled supporters.

 

Tim Richardson, who has been Chairman of Mousehole AFC for the last six years and has spearheaded the club’s successful grant applications during that period, explained:

 

“For all those many people actively involved with the club, whether as players past and present, supporters or administrators, the floodlights switch-on is a truly momentous event in the club’s history.  Who would ever have thought that our once tiny village club would now be staging floodlit football at its highest playing level in nearly 100 years.....and be on the threshold of progressing further up the leagues!” 

 

“We are so grateful to the Football Stadia Improvement Fund and the Premier League for supporting this project and for the helpful guidance they gave us in applying for the grant.  Likewise to the consultants and planners, and our own committee member Ben Gibson, who put in many hours of hard work to bring the application to a successful conclusion.” 

 

“As it happens, our first floodlit match is a Cup game and a local derby as well, so a good crowd is expected at this historic occasion.  The official switch-on will be conducted by Patch Harvey, the coxswain of the local RNLI Penlee Lifeboat, with which the club has a long-standing special relationship.  There’ll also be live entertainment, food and liquid refreshments before and after the match.”

 

The usual admission charges apply: £5 for adults, £3 for over-65s, children under 16 years free.  Car parking is free, and spectators are strongly advised to arrive early to avoid congestion.

 

Before Christmas, there will be plenty more floodlit ‘local derby’ football at Trungle Parc with the visit of Wendron United on Friday 22^nd November; Helston Athletic in the quarter-finals of the Cornwall Charity Cup on Tuesday 26^th November; and Falmouth Town on Thursday 19^th December - all with a 7.30pm kick off.

 

And then in the new year, Helston Athletic return for what could be an epic league encounter on Friday 24^th January.

[Bruegel the Elder]

Congratulations to all involved, hope it all goes well for you. As a former Club secretary I know the work involved in any major development; planning permission, matched funding, contractors and the like. A sugar daddy is all very well but it’s still hard graft to get it off the ground (so to speak)!
Too far for me to travel but I hope somebody can post pictures/videos. First floodlights are always a huge step in any clubs progression 

[TheolderIgetthebetterIwas]

4 minutes ago, Bruegel the Elder said:

Congratulations to all involved, hope it all goes well for you. As a former Club secretary I know the work involved in any major development; planning permission, matched funding, contractors and the like. A sugar daddy is all very well but it’s still hard graft to get it off the ground (so to speak)!
Too far for me to travel but I hope somebody can post pictures/videos. First floodlights are always a huge step in any clubs progression 

And an expensive one as well!