By Daniel Sales
LONG Lane JFC played host to FA chairman David Bernstein on Saturday as the Kidbrooke club showed off the refurbishment which will make it a venue fit for Olympic football teams in 2012.
The visit saw Mr Bernstein congratulate Long Lane on the great advances they have made.
He also took the opportunity to view the facilities at the venue, which will play host to eight countries during next year’s Olympic Games.
The refurbishment came courtesy of a £474,391 grant from the London organising committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG), which chose the Kidbrooke ground as a suitable facility to house the Olympic teams.
Mr Bernstein said: “This is an outstanding facility.
“It was great before but with all the work, it really is something special.”
Mr Bernstein was greeted by a group of girls, practicing on the brand new pitch, in which state-of-the-art drainage systems and sprinklers have just been added.
The London FA’s senior development officer David James was also full of praise for the venue.
He said “The facilities, the grass, and the work which has been done during the summer is the final piece in the jigsaw.
“Going back quite a few years, the club secured Football Foundation funding of £1m for the artificial surface.
“There’s been extra funding towards the changing rooms and a lot of work on the clubhouse and having the drainage and irrigation system needed for the Olympic teams, although a significant investment, is the final piece in the jigsaw.”
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