Needham Market FC’s 285-seater stand plans could receive £100k Mid Suffolk District Council boost

A football club's plans for a new 285-seater stand could receive a £100,000 boost from the council as leaders asked for approval.

With Needham Market FC's promotion to the National League North last year, making it the highest ranked non-league side in Suffolk, the club is looking to deliver a stand to meet the league above's health and safety requirements.

A football club's plans for a new 285-seater stand could receive a £100,000 boost from the council as leaders asked for approval.

On Wednesday, Mid Suffolk's cabinet members will discuss allocating £100,000 in contributions from developers, known as the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), to help in the new stand's delivery.

The plans would see the current 120-seater stand, in Quinton Road, replaced with a container-based complex capable of seating 285 people and accommodating toilets, a shop, a sponsors lounge and corporate facilities with disability access.

The new stand would have the ability to segregate supporters from different clubs.

The council's technical assessment report states the new stand is a must if the club is to continue to grow and offer access to everyone.

The club currently welcomes a range of teams across all ages and offers an academy programme aimed at 16 to 19-year-olds as a stepping stone for a future in football sports coaching, physical education, physiotherapy or sports development.

The bid further states the new stand will expand the club's ability to host County Football matches, annual school finals events and cup presentations.

The entire project is expected to cost £344,139, with further funding expected from a separate council grant (£10,000), the Premier League stadium fund (£59,434), the club's own money (£50,000), and the directors (£14,000).

The project would start as soon as the CIL funding was approved by councillors, with work expected to finish by early August.