Non-League club Wythenshawe Amateurs, who play in the Manchester Football League Premier Division, will be able to transform its future after winning a £100,000 ‘Super Grant’ through the Budweiser Club Futures programme.
The fairy-tale story began for Wythenshawe in December, when the club was announced as one of eight football clubs in Steps 5-7 of the English football pyramid to be awarded £50,000 through the Budweiser programme.
And the club then took part in a Facebook fan vote, alongside the other winners, in a bid to secure the additional £100,000.
Budweiser are official Partners of The FA
Wythenshawe duly received the most votes during the campaign, as well as gaining support from local celebrities and professional clubs in the area.
The award of the £100,000 Super Grant means that Budweiser has now injected £1m directly into non-League football in the UK through the Club Futures programme.
Following their win, Wythenshawe Amateurs now have big plans to expand, using the Club Futures grant to build a new facility in Holyhedge.
This will be designed, not only to host the players, but also to act as a social hub for the local community. It is hoped the investment will help Wythenshawe deliver its dream of moving up the local divisions to the higher levels of non-League football.
Carl Barratt, Vice-Chairman of Wythenshawe Amateurs, said: "Winning the £100,000 is not only another huge financial boost for us, but the whole process has brought the club and region together, in what has been a massive team effort.
"I cannot quantify the impact £100,000 will have on everyone involved at our great club; it will change our whole future and I can’t wait to see the club build and grow.
"It was incredible to gain the support of so many in the local Manchester area.
"We were overwhelmed by the number of celebrities who backed us on Twitter and were delighted that professional teams took so much interest in what we were doing.
"Wythenshawe Amateurs were in desperate need of quality facilities and thanks to the Budweiser grant we’ve received we are on track to provide them. This will benefit the entire local community for generations to come."
The other seven clubs winning £50,000 grants this season are: Bedfont Sports FC (London), East Grinstead Town FC (South East), Parley Sports Club (South West), Bromsgrove Sporting FC (West Midlands), Basford United (East Midlands), Handsworth Junior Sporting Club (North East & Yorkshire), Linton Granta FC (East).
For more information on The FA Cup with Budweiser visit www.facebook.com/budweiseruk and http://youtube.budweiser.co.uk
