MFC Foundation is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a grant from the Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund (BFF). The grant, valued at £100,000, is allocated solely to the funds needed to enable our Southlands project to progress.
Working closely with Middlesbrough Council, the aim is to deliver a new state of the art centre which supports the local community, and this grant will help progress the funding requirements needed for the project.
The development’s first phase will see the construction of a new hub to be operated by the Foundation. The current 3G and grass football pitches will be upgraded, and open space provided to support additional physical activities.
The revamped Southlands, in the Park End district of Middlesbrough, will host other sports and physical activity as well as football, with grassroots clubs and community organisations using the site. Inside the hub, community rooms, a classroom, a meeting room and a social area will host training workshops, employability courses, education, mentoring and social sessions.
Speaking about the grant, the largest given to any club charity in the current round of grants, Craig McManus, Acting Head of Foundation, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the EFL in The Community and Sky Bet for making this generous grant possible.
“It will play a vital role in helping us to progress towards the funding required to establish this new community centre. This funding enables us to create a space that delivers real opportunities, meaningful support, and a true sense of belonging for local people.
“Sky Bet’s investment in this project will make a lasting impact, and along with Middlesbrough Council we can’t wait to see the difference this new facility will make for East Middlesbrough.
“We hope to be in a position to make a further announcement about this project within the next couple of months. Watch this space.”
The grant is one of nine new grants to be awarded in the first round of funding for the 2025/26 season, as part of Sky Bet’s six-season commitment to supporting community-focused initiatives across the country.
The Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund, with an annual allocation of £1 million, provides crucial support to EFL Club Charities delivering impactful social and community projects.
This award follows a highly competitive application process in which all 72 EFL clubs were invited to submit proposals for funding. Last season, Accrington Stanley received the first £100,000 grant, which was used to fund the development of a new community 3G pitch at the Stanley Sports Hub, benefiting both local residents and the wider community.
The Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund continues to play a vital role in supporting projects that focus on social inclusion, employability, and community engagement. We are grateful to Sky Bet and the EFL for their ongoing support and look forward to seeing the positive outcomes of this initiative.