Could Your Football Club Get 75% Funding for a Shipping Container?

If you’ve ever found yourself squeezing footballs, goal nets, line markers and maintenance equipment into a cramped clubhouse or ageing wooden shed, you’re certainly not alone. Storage is a common challenge for grassroots football clubs across England, but many clubs don’t realise there may be funding available to help solve the problem. 

The Football Foundation offers grants that can cover up to 75% of the cost of a new or refurbished shipping container, helping clubs invest in secure, long lasting storage without having to fund the full cost themselves. 

Why secure storage matters

Running a grassroots football club involves far more than organising matches. Clubs invest thousands of pounds in equipment that needs to be protected from theft, vandalism and the unpredictable British weather. 

Volunteers also often find themselves taking equipment home to store between matches and training. This takes up space in volunteers own homes and is extra hassle for them.  

A shipping container provides a simple, secure and cost effective solution. Whether it’s footballs, cones, tabards, kits maintenance equipment, first aid kits or club merchandise, having dedicated storage helps keep everything organised, protected and ready for match day. 

Unlike traditional sheds, shipping containers are manufactured from heavy duty steel and are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions for many years. They require very little maintenance and offer excellent security, making them a popular choice for sports clubs nationwide. 

Why choose a shipping container? 

Many clubs initially consider purchasing a timber shed, but shipping containers offer several advantages. 

They’re significantly more secure, built from robust Corten steel, require minimal maintenance and have a much longer lifespan (typically 30 years plus for a new container). Their versatility also means they can be used to store everything from football equipment and groundskeeping machinery to event supplies and fundraising materials. 

With a range of sizes available, clubs can choose a container that suits both their available space and their storage requirements. 

What is the Football Foundation storage container grant?

The Football Foundation is committed to improving grassroots football facilities across England, and one of the ways it does this is by providing funding for storage containers. 

Eligible organisations can apply for a grant covering up to 75% of the total project cost, up to a maximum grant value of £25,000. This means clubs only need to contribute the remaining 25%, making high quality secure storage much more affordable. 

The funding can be used towards purchasing either: 

• A new shipping container 
• A professionally refurbished shipping container supplied with a minimum 12 month warranty 

It’s worth noting that the grant only applies to purchased containers, leased or hired containers aren’t eligible for funding. 

Who can apply 

The funding is available to a wide range of organisations involved in grassroots football, including: 

• Grassroots football clubs 
• Local authorities 
• Registered charities 
• Community interest companies 
• County football associations 
• Schools and educational establishments that provide facilities for community use 
• Other nonprofit organisations supporting grassroots football 

How to apply

You can find out more on this dedicated page on the Football Foundation website: https://footballfoundation.org.uk/grant/storage-containers 

How Secure Stores Nationwide can help 

At Secure Stores Nationwide, we’ve supplied shipping containers to organisations across the UK for many years. 

Whether you’re looking for a new container or a professionally refurbished unit, we can help you choose the right size for your club and provide  competitive quotation to support your football foundation application. 

We offer: 

• New and refurbished shipping containers 
• Nationwide delivery 
• Fast quotations for grant applications (we can also include a 12 month warranty on second hand equipment to meet the grant requirements) 
• Expert advice on selecting the right container 
• Friendly customer support throughout the process

Our team understands that applying for funding can feel daunting, so we’re always happy to answer any questions and provide the information you need. 

Ready to apply for your grant? Get a fast quotation for your container by using the form on our website, or contact us directly:

sales@securestores.co.uk
0208 125 7015