WATT HAILS CASHBACK FUNDING FOR BANKS O’ DEE PITCH UPGRADE

SNP North East MSP Maureen Watt has welcomed the announcement that Banks o’ Dee FC is set to receive £120,000 of CashBack for Communities funding to pay for the upgrade of their existing pitch at Spain Park to a full size 3G pitch. The funding is part of an £8 million funding announcement for Scottish football. The money has been seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act and will be used to invest in grassroots football across Scotland.

The upgrade of football pitches and facilities across Scotland has been identified as being of strategic importance to the Scottish game and today’s funding announcement will see 23 groups receive funding for such upgrades.

Commenting Ms Watt said:

“Banks o’ Dee are an Aberdeen institution with a history stretching back over a century, and I am delighted that they are set to receive this funding to upgrade their pitch and start a new era for the club.

“The CashBack for Communities scheme is a key Scottish Government achievement which since its launch has seen £39.7 million seized from criminals and used to fund sporting and community projects across Scotland. In this way the ill-gotten gains of crooks are being used to benefit the communities they have damaged with their actions.

“I know that the news of this upgrade will be warmly welcomed by everyone associated with Banks o’ Dee and I am looking forward to seeing the upgraded pitch once the work is complete.”