Pumas play later under new lights

Young footballers in Godalming have had their training sessions restored thanks to a grant from a local councillor.

Milford Pumas Under 13 girls team had been training at Charterhouse until Covid put a stop to the sessions.

The girls were still keen to train, so moved to The Burys Field, but a lack of lighting meant the sessions had to be abandoned early as the dark nights started to come in.

But the 'old, inefficient and not very bright' lights have now been repaired with sparkling new LED bulbs thanks to a county councillor's grant from Penny Rivers.

Mrs Rivers, husband and fellow councillor Paul, and town clerk Andy Jeffrey visited a training session at the field this evening to see the girls being put through their paces by coach Clare MacFarlane.

Mr Jeffrey explained: "The Pumas wanted a place where the girls could train on winter evenings. They contacted Godalming Town Council, and, although we don't maintain the field, we work with Waverley Borough Council, who do own the field.

"Godalming Town Council was the facilitator, and we then collared some funding from Waverley and Surrey County Council via the Members Allocation. Godalming Town Council bought the lights and arranged for them to be fitted this week."

The lights cost £2,500.

Coach Clare MacFarlane said the team was delighted they could now train later into the evenings at the ground where they play their home games.

"We have been training here for about four weeks," she said, "but I was losing the girls before 7 as the light was going. This is really good news for us."