Q&A: The Football Association view on the Greener Game

The Greener Game – a collaborative project between E.ON Next and the Football Association (The FA) to help England Football-accredited grassroots clubs in England with their energy costs – is now well into its first exciting phase. 

We have already provided on-site energy surveys at more than 35 sites up and down the country to provide expert advice and recommendations plus potential for funded upgrades. Back in April we caught up with members of the E.ON Control Solutions team to learn more about their experience of the Greener Game so far. 

It was great to hear about the positive experience E.ON team members are having with the project, and we wanted to know what our partners from The FA had so say. That’s why we sat down for a Q&A with Senior Development Manager Mark Liddiard, and National Development Manager (Programmes) Anna Quick. Here’s what we learned: 

E.ON: Hi Mark, Anna. To start us off, what was the appeal of working with an energy company like E.ON to support grassroots football? 

MARK: We’re always looking to partner with organisations that can support the country’s 18,000 grassroots football clubs, and working with E.ON is exciting because they genuinely want to connect with and support local communities. Grassroots clubs are at the heart of these communities, providing young people and players a space to come together—not just for football, but for a sense of belonging. 

ANNA: Exactly. What’s exciting is that E.ON brings expertise that many clubs simply don’t have access to on their own. Together we’re empowering clubs by providing access to upgrades, educational resources, and energy-saving tools.  

E.ON: What kind of difference can this energy support make for grassroots clubs and their communities? 

MARK: A lot of clubs, like households, are feeling the pinch with rising costs, and these are mostly volunteer-run organisations. The great thing about the Greener Game is it’s not just about funding – it's about education. E.ON helps clubs check what tariff they’re on, how their energy is being used, and where they might be wasting money. The energy support packs have been brilliant for that – giving clubs an insight into their actual consumption. 

ANNA: The energy support packs include tools like programmable timers for appliances – so clubs don’t leave things like bar fridges running all night – and digital energy monitors that show real-time usage. The packs also come with guidance and visual aids like posters and stickers to promote energy-saving habits among members and visitors. It’s about changing the culture as well as the infrastructure. 

E.ON: And how has the project been going so far? 

ANNA: Really well! We're just finalising the first round of upgrades and launched the second round recently. Over 200 clubs have signed up, and we’re already seeing results from the pilot phase. The partnership is strong and the potential is huge! 

MARK: We learned a lot from the pilots – what works, what doesn’t – and refined the program accordingly. What’s great is that this isn’t just about giving out grants. E.ON and their partners provide an all-in-one solution: they handle everything from installation to project management. That’s a massive help for volunteer-run clubs and ensures the work is done safely and efficiently. The audits from E.ON Control Solutions have been excellent, and the feedback from clubs has been extremely positive. The insights they’ve provided help guide both investment decisions and the smaller, practical steps clubs can take themselves. 

E.ON: Has the Greener Game taught you anything about how clubs are using energy? 

MARK: Definitely. Some clubs are really on top of their energy use, while others are much less aware. A lot of clubs didn’t know whether they were on competitive tariffs or how to track their usage. The audits have been a real eye-opener—showing where clubs can save and helping us offer them bite-sized, manageable advice. 

ANNA: I’ve been pleased by both E.ON's commitment to helping clubs and how small changes – like adjusting appliance settings – can result in significant savings. We're talking thousands of pounds in some cases, and those savings can be reinvested into the clubs. 

MARK: Yes, some clubs from the pilot phase could end up saving £3,000–£4,000 a year. Those are recurring savings, year after year, and for grassroots clubs that kind of impact is enormous. 

ANNA: Yes, one club has already reported major savings after installing solar panels and battery storage. It's a great example of how this program can deliver meaningful change fast. 

E.ON Great! And how can clubs reinvest those savings? 

MARK: One important but overlooked way is by maintaining pitches. This helps prevent game cancellations, which in turn keeps clubhouses open and revenue flowing. We ask clubs to tell us in their applications how they plan to reinvest savings, and pitch quality is a key focus. Fewer cancelled matches mean more footfall, stronger communities, and more sustainable clubs. 

E.ON: And what do you both hope to see next from the Greener Game? 

ANNA: I’d love to see as many clubs as possible get involved. Whether they own their facilities or not, there are still ways we can help them become more environmentally sustainable. These clubs are the backbone of their communities. 

MARK: I agree. Working with E.ON we’ve got a lot of capacity to make a difference for these clubs. The more sign up, the more we can do. 

E.ON: Mark, Anna, thanks so much!

Anna and Mark: Thank you! 

Read our Q&A with members of the E.ON Control Solutions Team here. 

And find out more about the Greener Game here.