How Premier League funding has helped Ingles FC

Investment from the Premier League Stadium Fund enables vital improvements to non-league club's infrastructure A drum bangs as the crowd builds at Homestead Road, home of Ingles FC, Ingles and Bilston Town take to the pitch, joined by 11 young mascots who excitedly high-five the opposition and officials. The mascots are players from Ingles’ newly-formed inclusive team, created to ensure disabled and neurodivergent children can access football in a fun, supportive and safe environment. The team has been running for six months and today gives 50 local young footballers the chance to meet their friends and stay active on Thursday nights. Nestled among neighbouring houses, Ingles has been a central part of their community since moving to Homestead Road, Leicestershire, five years ago. Now, with the Premier League Stadium Fund enabling them to improve their infrastructure, Ingles has been able provide additional support through the new team. Ingles' mascot leads the pre-match handshakes“The Premier League Stadium Fund has been massive for the club,” says chair, Adam Smith. “It’s enabled us to develop the ground, particularly by installing new LED floodlights. We replaced the metal halide system that was unsustainable, high cost and temperamental. "The new lights mean we’ve been able to restart our Under-18s team and start the inclusive sessions at night time.” Ingles has received a total of £80,000 from the Premier League Stadium Fund towards improving their ground, including £45,000 as part of the League’s efforts to help clubs throughout the National League System switch to energy-efficient LED floodlights. Players in action under the floodlightsThey are one of 280 who have received funding towards new lights, which have reduced their bills and energy use by over a third, with some clubs saving up to 50 per cent. Supporting financial and environmental sustainability Supporting clubs to become more financially and environmentally sustainable is a central focus of the Premier League Stadium Fund, which distributes grants throughout the men’s and women’s pyramid to improve their infrastructure. To date, more than £215million has been invested by the Premier League over 25 years. Like Smith, first-team manager Adam Boulter started out as a player with Ingles. These days he spends more time on the sidelines than on the pitch, and doesn’t give himself a run-out against Bilston Town. But he’s as big a role model for the day’s mascots as the starting XI. “I’ve been and coached at the inclusive team a few times,” Boulter says, “and to see their faces playing football as part of a community is really warming. “It's great to have that community feeling here. It’s down to having this facility with the lights where people can come and play, and that wasn’t an option before. “I think what makes England such a great place for football is the impact of the whole pyramid. I don’t think you have that anywhere else in the world, so seeing that funding find its way down is amazing. That really is the difference and what makes football in the UK so special.” Watching on as Ingles and Bilston produce an entertaining 2-2 draw is local MP Amanda Hack, who, after visiting an inclusive team session during the week, returned on the weekend to cheer on the men's first team. Community spirit “Clubs like this give people a place to centre,” she says. “The clubhouse is amazing and brings in people from all over the community. The inclusive team has been huge for individuals who don’t feel they can play football, but now can. That’s the beauty of football at this level and a huge testament to all the volunteers at the club for their hard work. Time for a catch up and cuppa at the clubhouse“People have busy lives but are actually able to congregate and come together, is what provides that passion for sport and for community.” With the sun long set and Ingles’ floodlights coming into full effect, thoughts turn towards a busy, and warm, clubhouse as full-time approaches. The bar does a solid trade of footballing staples – pies and sausage rolls – as children rush between family, friends and fans. Community spirit The club’s success is on full display, as experienced by Premier League Director of Community Nick Perchard. Over a cup of tea on the sidelines, he says: “This is a brilliant local football club that brings people together week in, week out. We’re really proud as the Premier League to be able to support clubs like this to flourish. “Ingles is a club that’s really on the up. And this is what football is all about, making sure this is a football club for the whole community. It’s providing incredible opportunities, whether you’re one of the adults playing here or a young player starting out for the first time. They can see players here from their own community and be inspired. “Clubs at all levels have faced a really difficult time over the past five years – we’ve seen energy costs rise enormously. "Through the Premier League Stadium Fund, we wanted to support clubs to reduce those costs by investing in LED floodlights across the non-league system. We’ve funded 280 so far and have funding available for all National League System clubs to change from their old systems to these new LED lights. “It’s saving clubs money, really improving the experience for everyone and they’re easier to maintain. We encourage every club to come forward and make use of this investment.” What is the Premier League Stadium Fund? The Premier League Stadium Fund awards capital grants to clubs to support improvement of their stadium facilities for players, supporters and officials. Funding is available to clubs who play in Steps 1 to 6 of the National League System, Tiers 1 to 4 of the Women’s Football Pyramid and clubs promoted into the English Football League. Find out more and apply for funding by clicking on the link here premierleaguestadiumfund.co.uk.