Wingmaker’s to install State-of-the-art 3G pitch in half million pound investment.

AIRBUS UK Broughton FC will become the third club in the Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League to play on a synthetic pitch next season.

It is planned that work to lay a new state-of-the-art 3G surface at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium will begin in May, with completion due before the end of July in readiness for next season.

A substantial proportion of the total project cost is being funded by a grant of £350,000 from the Football Association of Wales, through its Project 3G investment programme which is funded via the UEFA Hat-Trick programme.

In addition to the new pitch, the floodlights at the stadium will be upgraded to allow for use of a low-level community lighting setting.

“This is not only excellent news for the football club, but also for the employees at the plant and for the community in Broughton and the surrounding areas,” says Airbus UK Broughton FC chairman and plant head Paul McKinlay.

“The football club and the company work in partnership to encourage involvement in football in the community and, with the potential for all year round use, we believe the stadium will be a real community hub delivering an excellent facility for participation in sport, as well as promoting health and well-being.

“In addition, the pitch will be used extensively by our academy at all ages from seven to 19 and will also be available for hire through the Sports and Social Club.

“The difficulties with Welsh Premier League postponements we have suffered will become a thing of the past.

“I truly believe this is a great step for football in this area and I would like to thank the Welsh FA, the sports and social club and Airbus UK for their support to enable this project – I am sure we will see the benefits for years to come.”

 Broughton Wings Sports & Social Club manager Jonathan Williams, who applied for the funding, said:

“The joint-funded project is benefiting from over £100,000 of Sports Club members’ funds.

“In addition to the facility being a great community hub, the members of the Sports Club will enjoy using the facility for years to come.

“I would like to personally thank Steve Oates who has worked tremendously hard from our facilities department to get us to where we are, commencing such a fantastic project!”