PLANS are being made to invest just under £10m in grassroots football.

The Football Foundation charity, funded by the FA, has provided a plan in their long term aim to improve local football across England.

One of the UK's largest sports charities, the Football Foundation has been funding facilities in Mid Sussex since 2000.

They have done this by providing investment into facilities such as 3G Artificial Grass Pitches, changing pavilions and natural pitches.

The Football Foundation’s plan for Mid Sussex has identified four artificial grass pitches, 11 natural grass pitches, five changing pavilions and six small-sided facilities. Mid Sussex Conservative MP Mims Davies said the total cost of these projects will be £9,450,125.

The 3G football turf pitches (FTPs) are a "high quality and indispensable part of modern football facilities; their impact cannot be underestimated" says the foundation.

The plans identify four new priority projects for potential 3G FTP investment: Northern Arc in Burgess Hill, Pease Pottage, Victoria Business Park in Burgess Hill and Imberhorne Upper School.

Although there is a substantial number of grass pitch sites in Mid Sussex, local partners prioritised 11 - containing 26 full-size pitch equivalents.

The projects for possible pitch improvements are: Northern Arc in Burgess Hill, Pease Pottage, Hickmans Lane in Lindfield, Whitemans Green in Cuckfield, Haven Field in Crawley Down, Imberhorne Lane Recreation Ground in East Grinstead, Lindfield Common, Clayton Green Recreation Ground in Hassocks, Imberhorne Upper School, East Grinstead Sport's Club (Dave's Field) and Adastra Park in Hassocks.

Each has three or more full-size pitch equivalents of standard quality, or has been identified as a locally important site for football.

Five priority projects for potential investment have been identified for changing room pavilions/ clubhouses improvement.

These include: Northern Arc in Burgess Hill, Pease Pottage, Hickmans Lane in Lindfield, Whitemans Green in Cuckfield and Imberhorne Lane Recreation Ground in East Grinstead.

Local consultation highlights The Triangle in Burgess Hill as requires improvement and Northern Arc could be provided an additional indoor facility to further develop small-sided football.

Three potential opportunities for multi-use games areas have been identified which are Bolney Recreation Ground, Court Bushes Recreation Ground in Hurstpierpoint and East Courts Recreation Ground in East Grinstead.

Following local consultation, Mount Noddy in East Grinstead has been selected to support small-sided informal football.

The funding from the foundation has totalled a number of 19 grants at a value of £418,032 with additional funding for small grants such as maintenance machinery, goalposts and emergency Covid relief programme, which have not been monetarily included.

Mid Sussex MP Ms Davies praised the creation of Football Foundation and the contribution it has made so far to Mid Sussex.

Ms Davies said: “As the former Sports Minister and an avid football fan, I know how football helps to bring communities together and helps young people develop transferable skills which will benefit them throughout their lives.

"We have some fantastic sports facilities in Mid Sussex, and I want to see them continue to grow and help enrich the lives of young people across our constituency.”

The local football plan was created in partnership between the Football Foundation, local authorities, sports clubs, schools and the County FA.