Chelmsford City have celebrated after discovering the news that a brand new Football Conference Club Development Fund is to be launched, Chairman Mansell Wallace labelling the idea as: “Fantastic and unexpected news!”

The Premier League have announced a solidarity package with the Conference worth £6million in total over the next three seasons, which follows the £1million payment already made in 2009/10. The Premier League has now opted to provide funding for seasons 2010/11, 2011/12 and 2012/13 which will support all Blue Square clubs.

“This is wonderful news and it’s great to see the Premier League continuing to support the non-league game,” Mansell commented. “The top levels take a lot of criticism sometimes when they’re seen as neglecting the grass roots but this proves the Premier League has a conscience when all non-league clubs are feeling the pinch. It’s welcome funding as we weren’t expecting anything and we receive it with great thanks.”

The cash will be split into general payments to all 68 Conference clubs and a separate Development Fund which any Conference outfit can apply towards for specific projects. The funding will be structured so £1.2m per season is provided to support all Blue Square clubs while £800,000 will be set aside per season for the Development Fund.

Premier League Chief Executive, Richard Scudamore, said: “The Premier League and our member clubs recognise the importance of the continued health of football outside the Football League and it is with this in mind that we have made this commitment. In particular, we are extremely pleased to be working with the Conference to establish a new fund that will allow clubs, all extremely important within their local communities, to invest more funds into local youth development and good cause initiatives.”

Conference Chairman, Brian Lee, added: “This is a further wonderful gesture from the Premier League towards The Football Conference. The solidarity commitment for three years is most welcome whilst the new funding will allow our clubs to express themselves in a tangible form for the benefit of their communities. We accept with gratitude.”

Painters are Overcome with Emulsion! City’s Chairman also offered his sincere thanks to a small team of decorators who volunteered days of their summer break and missed World Cup games to ensure they met a dressing room refurbishment target during the close season, reaching their goal with minutes to spare!

Just in time for last Friday’s friendly against Stevenage, the team achieved their aim of decorating the players’ and officials dressing room areas, including the toilet facilities. With the officials’ area requiring care and attention since the Clubhouse was first built, the ‘Brush Squad’ offered their time over the summer to clean, prepare and recoat the whole vicinity, which is now decked out in a smart and uniform colour throughout.

Mansell Wallace was delighted with the efforts of Peter Ruane, John Morris, Keith Craddock and John White, as well as Martyn Gard for contributing towards the materials, claiming: “The guys have done a fantastic job and saved us a lot of money. It was perfect timing in-between seasons and we must also pay tribute to Bob Batchford, Rob Hill and the ground maintenance volunteers as well, who are now working with our full-time professional. I understand the athletics usage of the pitch is now being kept to a minimum so we should see the benefits of all their hard endeavours.”

Clarets Ladies Want Boots for Africa: Chelmsford City Ladies FC are doing their bit for international relations this month as they seek old unwanted boots or trainers to donate to an African charity, with supporters being asked to get in touch with the club and support ‘Boots for Africa’ by handing over surplus footwear. The appeal aims to help develop the skills and fitness of disadvantaged children and provide more with the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful game. Please phone Lisa on (07933) 188790 to find out more or visit www.bootsforafrica.org for further information.