Stockport County Grassroots Fund continues to support local clubs

Stockport County Football Club and Stockport County Community Trust relaunched launch their Grassroots Football Fund for the 2025/26 football season.

The fund offers financial support of up to £1,500 for male and female junior teams across the borough. Grants can help clubs with their development and running costs, which may include providing new kits, assisting with pitch hire fees and developing new coaches as well as helping to develop new teams such as a new girls’ team or disability teams.

Stockport County’s Grassroots Fund is set to invest £50,000 to support clubs next season, and will distributed based on each individual club’s needs, number of players and eligibility. Clubs registered with the Cheshire and Manchester FA based in the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport will be able to apply.

Alongside funding, clubs also get the chance to take to the pitch at Edgeley Park at the end of the season and take part in the annual festival of grassroots football. This event provides a great opportunity for aspiring young players to experience the Edgeley Park playing surface in a fun and friendly environment. Coaches will also be invited to take part in CPD events delivered by Stockport County Academy staff.

Last year the Grassroots Fund provided funding to 23 local teams. One of the teams, Adswood United, used the fund to reduce player fees by £10 per player and make the club more accessible to parents who may have otherwise struggled to afford for their children to play.

Another recipient who received the funding was Stockport Dynamoes, whose manager, Jack Miller highlighted:

“We used the grassroots fund to make our Wildcats sessions free for young girls in the area looking to start their football journey.”    

Simon Wilson, CEO of Stockport County said,

‘We are delighted to be able to launch the Grassroots Fund for next season. The Grassroots Fund exists to support clubs across the region, so that football can be as accessible as possible. Items such as kits, equipment and pitch hire can be a significant barrier to entry, and we’re very keen to alleviate that.

‘Playing team sports and staying active is incredibly beneficial for young people in Stockport, and by participating in the annual festival of grassroots football, they’re also given the chance to play at Edgeley Park. This is always a very special occasion for all involved.’