Nus Ghani, MP for Wealden, has met with the Chairman of Hailsham United Junior Football Club to support the campaign to improve their facilities and establish a permanent base at Maurice Thornton Playing Field.
Hailsham United is a grassroots community football club offering organised football to about 180 boys and girls aged 5-16. The club trains at the Maurice Thornton Playing Field, which is owned by Wealden District Council and leased to Hailsham Town Council. The field is currently open to members of the public, resulting in frequent damages of the pitch and health risk to the players.
Nus met with the Chairman of the Club to discuss his concerns regarding the quality of the current pitch and facilities, issues with lease of the premises, and ideas for improvements. The Club is interested in running Maurice Thornton as a community owned asset instead, securing a reliable home ground for the Club and improving the facilities to match-ready standard.
Nus Ghani said: “Wealden’s grassroots football clubs are at the heart of Wealden sport and play a key role in local communities. I have secured a meeting with the leader of Wealden District Council to discuss the progress of this case and the benefits of proposed improvements to the pitch to Hailsham communities. I have long campaigned for better funding for local clubs and raised the issue of lack of investment in local football clubs with the Football Foundation, which awarded grants worth £24,500 to Wealden Clubs last year alone. I will continue to campaign for improvements to Wealden facilities and I am committed to supporting Hailsham United in securing a safe and permanent playing ground.”
