Officials at Lowestoft Town FC have expressed delight after the club received a boost during the continuing coronavirus crisis.

Lowestoft have been awarded a Pitch Preparation Fund grant that will help to ensure the Crown Meadow pitch is in top condition for when it is safe for football to return.

The Pitch Preparation Fund grant, which has come from the Premier League, The FA and the Government’s Football Foundation, comes after the fund was set up in support of the game and the unprecedented challenges it currently faces amid the pandemic.

The fund is providing grants to clubs that have lost out on normal revenue streams during this difficult period.

The funding will enable Lowestoft, who play in the Southern Premier Central League, to prepare its home pitch so that it will be match fit for when it is safe to play football again, following Government advice.

Clubs can use the grants towards helping to pay for the cost of materials, for work such as rolling, over-seeding and routine preparatory work such as grass cutting.

Lowestoft Town FC chairman, Gary Keyzor, said: “We’re delighted to get this additional support.

“We have put the pitch as one of our priorities this Summer and this will help towards achieving our aims.”

Robert Sullivan, interim Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “This is a vital grant to help Lowestoft Town get their pitch match-fit.

“The Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation exists to help provide quality infrastructure at the lower-levels of the game.

“Pitch Preparation Fund grants like this one are giving a helping hand to clubs across the country to get their playing surfaces ready for when the game is allowed to begin again following government advice.”

The Football Foundation is a charity funded by the Premier League, The FA and the Government, through Sport England.

Clubs and other organisations are also being given access to the Football Foundation Groundskeeping Community – a free online resource the Foundation developed with The FA and the Grounds Management Association, containing advice and guidance.

Sign up at www.thefa.hivelearning.com/groundskeeping