Football legend Sir Trevor Brooking joined the Leader of Dartford Borough Council, Cllr. Jeremy Kite and Cllr. Patsy Thurlow, Portfolio Holder for Sport at the council and David Skinner, Co-Chairman of Dartford Football Club in formally opening the new mini pitch facilities at Princes Park, Dartford on Saturday 11th December 2010.
The new facilities feature state-of-the-art, third-generation floodlit artificial grass pitches, which can be played on all year round.
Funding for the new mini soccer pitches will add to the already impressive facilities at the Princes Park Stadium. The project was made possible with a grant of £153,000 from the Football Foundation, £250,000 from Dartford Borough Council and £9,000 from Kent County Council’s Capital Grant Scheme for Sports.
The Leader of Dartford Borough Council, Cllr. Jeremy Kite said:
“Princes Park already has a national reputation for changing the face of non-league football and these superb new mini pitches are another big step to completing our whole-family offer”.
“The Football Foundation does a superb job in safeguarding both the reputation and future of our national game and it has been a delight to work with them. They are thoroughly committed to community football and so are we – it really can turn lives around”.
Sir Trevor Brooking commented:
“I am delighted to be opening the excellent new third generation pitches in Princes Park. It is vital that young children have facilities where they can be safe, have fun and receive quality coaching. For many youngsters, playing football can teach them life skills like communication and teamwork, but for a talented few, facilities such as these, may be where the next generation of elite players will develop their skills”.
