Gala Wilton FC put out a post on X this week looking for quotations on the installation of six floodlight masts at their ground in Gloucester.
Park Life Sport spoke with Jonathan Clay about the whole process and what it could mean for the club and future plans.
“We kind of called the project ‘Building a Brighter Future ‘ at Gala Wilton.”
It’s not been a quick or easy project, though.
“We started about four years ago, now me and a few of the committee members made a plan and application to Gloucester City Council to install six flood lights and a 50-seater stand.”
However, it’s an expensive project for the club and it’s members and help from the outside is definitely needed.
“You’re talking like tens of thousands of pounds, probably anything between maybe £50,000 up to £70,000 we’re awaiting the quotes obviously.”
“We’re asking club and committee members to essentially put their hands in their pockets to support us.”
“But I mean it would great if there was anyone else in the local community, local businesses that would want to be part of our project and support us really.”
The hope is that the floodlights can help the club grow, especially at youth level.
“The idea is we secure it, and then that allows people to participate in local youth football, under 18s football,”
“If we don’t get it then it could be another five or ten years before people are able to do that.”
“There’s kids that on waiting lists just to be able to play, obviously some clubs take it more seriously but we’re really keen on everyone being able to participate.” Clay added, “it’s absolutely our ambition to be able to offer that to all children.”
We then asked Jonathan about the potential opportunities that having floodlights could open up for Gala Wilton.
“Yeah i’m sure if we get floodlights, there will be an opportunity for other teams to maybe use it here and there.”
“It just opens up so much potential for the site itself, we share the site the Gala community hub which is like a social club so it goes hand in hand. The more people that play football the more people that will go to the club afterwards and socialise.”
Funding floodlights is one thing, but Clay opened up on the difficulties the Great British weather causes the club.
“This is another thing; it’s grassroots football. The last two seasons with the extreme summer heat has actually killed the pitch.”
“We’ve had to spend thousands of pounds getting the pitch reseeded i would say nearly £5,000 over the last two years.”
“As we speak today because the pitch has been reseeded no one is able to use it at the moment because it’s got to regrow so yeah, we faced those challenges as well.”
There is always oppourtunity for UoG students or people with a passion to help out with the club, especially with the social media,
Their X account has 2400 followers, while their Instagram has 232. There’s potential for a student to help grow the club and their own portfolio.
“I mean we would take all the help available, certainly if it’s a two-way and it helps out people at the uni with courses.”
“if there was somebody who could help with social media that would be great, we worked with Hartpury before and there was a guy who helped us with this business plan.”
“We’ve got a strong history of doing that, probably one student every other season, if they need something to do with their degree we’re always open to help with that.”
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