Pollok United SCIO is a registered charity and Platinum Quality-Mark Club that currently supports core activity for 18 football teams at their home facilities of Dennis Donnelly Park and Nethercraigs Community Sports Hub, which it currently operates as part of a community activation partnership with Glasgow Life. With over 400 young playing members supported by 76 volunteers and coaches, Pollok United offers participation opportunities every weekday evening and during the day on Saturdays and Sundays.
As a very inclusive community group, their ethos is very much about the advancement of public participation in the sport of football and the provision of activities, both organised and recreational, which help improve the conditions of life for local residents in the southside of Glasgow in relation to physical and mental well-being.
Pollok United recognised the need to continue to offer first class and safe facilities for all their members and community groups and approached The Scottish Football Partnership Trust (SFP Trust) in October 2021 to discuss issues which they were experiencing with their 12-year-old 3G goals which had fallen into disrepair, rendering them unfit for purpose. In recognition of the level of activity and the impact being delivered within the community, the Trustees of the SFP Trust were keen to support an application to part-fund the purchase of new replacement movable goalposts.
Andy Elliot, Club Manager at Pollok United said, “To receive funding from the SFP Trust was a big boost for us, particularly with the level of activity the new goals will help us to deliver. On a regular week we are hosting 40 hours of training activity between Monday – Friday and around 14 hours of match play on Saturdays and Sundays for children, youths, and adults. At present we are in discussions with United Glasgow, Active Schools and Clyde College around new football project opportunities in our community and in particular with minority groups. Thank you again to the SFP Trust for supporting our continued development and impact in our community.”
*The Scottish Football Partnership Trust’s Grassroots Facilities Fund has been created by a charitable donation received from Mr. James Anderson.
