London FA are proud to announce that the winner of Grounds Team of the Year for the 2024 Grassroots Heroes Awards is Long Lane JFC!

Long Lane JFC took responsibility for Kidbrooke Playing Fields in 1994, when the 19-acre site was owned by Greenwich Education and had fallen into disrepair. Although local schools used the site, the council were unable to keep the facilities updated resulting in the changing rooms containing asbestos, the old pavilion being badly vandalised and excessive fly tipping. The club reached an agreement with the council to make the repairs and maintain the pitches for the club and local schools. This arrangement lasted twenty-seven years until severe cutbacks due to COVID meant the council could no longer maintain the pitches. This was a nightmare situation however; volunteers brought their mowers and did what they could to keep the pitches playable. An application was made to the Football Foundation for pitch equipment and ten months later, the club took a delivery of a new tractor and associated equipment.

Since the cost of hiring a professional grounds person was too great, Stewart Johnston volunteered to take on the role in 2020 and is responsible for maintaining 10 grass pitches and 1 astro pitch. This also includes the maintenance of the club grounds and dealing with club suppliers. Without Stewart's selflessness, the club would quite likely be unable to continue to provide grass football pitches for the 500+ club members. 

It was then through the governments Kick Start programme that the club was able to take on William Bower to assist Stewart. As a result of their dedication, the club now have wonderful high standard pitches which have been highly praised by the Football Foundation grass pitch assessors. Stewart takes great pride in his role and wants to provide the best playing surfaces at the club. This is evident by the number of leagues, schools, and charities that now hire Long Lane pitches for their games and finals. 

Congratulations to Stewart, William and Long Lane JFC!