Cirencester Town have applied to the Football Foundation for a grant to help them install a 3G pitch.
The FA have noted that : “Cotswold District is unique amongst its neighbouring areas in not having at least one (full-sized 3G) pitch.”
The club now await a decision which is expected in December.
The cost according to Cirencester chairman Steve Abbley would be about £500,000. He's hopeful that the Football Foundation will fund 50% of this, perhaps more. There is also a chance of money from Cirencester College with whom the football club run a joint academy.
Abbley says he has also had talks with the district and local Councils to see if they could help with funding.
The news about Cirencester's application appeared in the Stroud News.
In their report they mention that the FA thinks plastic pitches can help the sustainability of grassroots football clubs. It notes that clubs like Salisbury and Hereford have had financial problems in the past.
Both Stroud and Merthyr have installed plastic pitches which in Merthyr's case has increased the income at the club by £75,000 per year.