The grant, which will provide a boost to grassroots football in Bognor, has paved the way for the Pirates to form a new third team and allow the club to train two new coaches, one level one and one level two. England boss and Football Foundation ambassador Southgate said: “I am so pleased the Pirates have secured this Grow the Game grant. The club have worked very hard with Sussex County FA and the Football Foundation to get more local people playing football so they can enjoy the many physical and mental benefits that come with playing regular sport. “Grow the Game is mainly funded by the FA and delivered by the Football Foundation. This is money flowing from the very top of the game down to the lowest levels, to help clubs at the grassroots to bear the cost of starting up a new team, whether it be for a new kit, pitch hire or sending volunteers on FA-accredited coaching courses.” Grow the Game is a £2.5m programme which awards grants to grassrootsl clubs that wish to create new teams, especially among under-represented groups. A total of £1,500 is available to help FA-affiliated clubs with the cost of creating a new team, which might include the cost FA coaching courses, FA league affiliation costs, referees’ fees; first-aid kits and even football kit and equipment. Pirates secretary Charlie Welling said: “We are pleased that the Football Foundation has given us the chance to expand our club and help increase the number local players getting involved. “The grant is also giving us the chance to get another new coach qualified up to level-one standard and another one up to level two which should also help improve the standard of our training and hopefully in turn improve the level of football being played. “Our new third team will be playing in division five of the West Sussex League and we have already had a lot of interest for new players and we will be looking to continue the success we have had with our other two teams over the last few seasons.” Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking sports news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be among the first to know what’s going on. 1 Make this website your homepage 2 Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Sport-Sussex 3 Follow us on Twitter @SportSussex 4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. Share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!