England and Everton number one Jordan Pickford is among the players whose grassroots beginnings are being spotlighted as the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation celebrates the impact of its funding on grassroots pitches.
25 years ago, a unique partnership between the Premier League, The FA and Government formed the Football Foundation. Thanks to the ongoing support of funding partners, the Foundation has invested over £1 billion towards achieving this goal, delivering the grassroots sports facilities that communities up and down the country need and deserve.
To mark this the charity is celebrating the first pitches where the journeys of many England internationals, WSL and Premier League stars first began.
Long before the England caps and Premier League accolades, Jordan Pickford was a young goalkeeper learning his trade at grassroots club Washington Envelopes in Sunderland. Today, Football Foundation investment is helping ensure similar opportunities exist for the next generation across Sunderland, with funding supporting facilities including the Beacon of Light Hub (£2 million), the Ford Hub (£4.1 million), the Washington Hub (£4.8 million) and the Downhill Hub (£5.2 million). With his strong links to the city, Jordan has made use of the incredible facilities at the Sunderland Hubs alongside his family.
Stories like those of Jordan Pickford highlight how journeys to the top of the game often begin at local grassroots clubs and on community pitches, shining a light on how vital these facilities are in shaping futures and providing opportunities for everyone to enjoy the game.
England’s No. 1 Jordan Pickford said: “[Washington Envelopes] was the start of the journey for me. That put me in the spotlight as a young kid to go and get scouted for Sunderland and that got me the opportunity to go to Sunderland, get a trial, be in the development squad and get my first U9 contract.”
“The Football Foundation has made huge investments in Sunderland. You’ve got the opportunity to always play. I think you get a better quality standard of football and I think it’s very well appreciated in the North-East. We want every community to have a great place to play.”
Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, added:
“Many of the England men’s team kick-started their journey to the international stage on facilities that have been improved thanks to funding from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation.
“Journeys like Jordan’s show just how important grassroots investment is for every player, every pitch, and every community across the country. From grants for 3G pitches and changing facilities, to grass pitch improvements and goalposts, we want to ensure every community has a great place to play.”
Every football journey starts on a first pitch. For Everton shot-stopper Jordan Pickford, that first pitch was at Washington Envelopes. To celebrate 25 years of the Football Foundation, share a photo of where your football journey began using #FirstPitches. Find out more at footballfoundation.org.uk or follow @footballfoundation on Instagram.
