MAWNAN Football Club has received a boost after being awarded a Retain the Game grant through The FA and the Football Foundation.

The grant, which has been awarded to help aid the retention of adult male teams within grassroots football, will enable Mawnan to sustain their two teams for the near future.

Retain the Game is a programme funded by The FA and delivered by the Football Foundation. It awards grants of £750 to existing grassroots football clubs to boost their financial sustainability and allow them to continue offering playing opportunities in organised football.

Funding has been targeted at clubs that operate with two or more male teams aged under-17 and above, and either currently hold The FA’s Adult Charter Standard Award or commit to attaining the award within the next footballing season.

The strategy aims to encourage more clubs to strive for Adult Charter Standard, with research from The FA demonstrating increased levels of sustainability and player recruitment for teams with this award.

England under-19 head coach Paul Simpson said: “It’s great to see The FA and the Football Foundation supporting participation in the adult male game at the community level.

“Affordability has often been identified as a key barrier, so this grant will ease the financial burden placed on clubs and allow them to concentrate on providing access to competitive football.

“It is very pleasing to see Mawnan taking advantage of this pilot scheme and ensuring that they look forward to a bright future, providing regular opportunities for local people to enjoy the benefits of playing our national game.”

Mawnan Football Club chairman, Mr Colin Bate, said the club was delighted to receive assistance from the Football Foundation: “For grassroots village football clubs such as Mawnan, the cost of providing regular adult football is soaring to unprecedented levels.

“Insurance, ground work, affiliation fees, laundry bills, kit, equipment and travel costs soar as each season passes and any help the club can obtain is very welcome.

“The Cornwall FA encouraged the club to apply for a grant from the Football Foundation and we are extremely grateful for the support that they have both offered.”