On Saturday afternoon I travelled to watch the side I've supported since I was at school play at home in the league to which they were relegated at the end of last season.

Farnborough FC are now plying their trade in the (deep breath) EvoStick Southern League Division One Central. And it was a fantastic game against Uxbridge in crazy weather conditions on Saturday, which in the end finished 3-3. Well worth the £10 entry.

The 295 who turned out to watch were thoroughly entertained - and OK at this level of non-league football, the standard on display may not be for the purist, but there were some great skills on show from both sides. Skills which were facilitated by a great looking surface, which held up admirably despite taking an utter soaking.

Football at this level and below is so important to so many people across the country. To the players, to the clubs and to the fans. And one of the absolute key elements which allows all these groups to enjoy the game is the pitches available to them.

To give credit where it is due, the FA is well aware of the importance of well-maintained surfaces in the grassroots scene. The story in today's newsletter about Clay Cross FC benefiting from their Pitch Improvement Programme (PIP) scheme illustrates this well.

The Association is continuing to look for input for how they can help the game though, and are currently running, until October 28th, their second Grassroots Football Survey.

In October 2015, more than 28,750 players, coaches, referees, staff and volunteers completed the FA's inaugural online poll to assess public opinion around the grassroots game.

The FA say that the results provided valuable feedback and revealed a number of positives, but also highlighted some areas for improvement.

Last year’s survey saw 25 per cent of respondents say they would play more if there were better facilities available to them, emphasising the fact that not everyone has access to adequate playing facilities.

The FA say they have committed to spending £260m on the grassroots game, with facilities being one of the key areas of focus.

The FA’s Parklife Football Hub Programme is well underway and they have also committed £48m to improving facilities directly through their funding of the Football Foundation. The aforementioned PIP scheme is seeing investment in 100 new turf pitches and improvements to a further 2000.

But of course there is still more to do. And again to give credit to the FA they acknowledge this and are wanting those directly involved in the grassroots scene to let them know where they are falling short so they can pinpoint areas which need attention.

Martin Glenn, The FA's chief executive said of the results of last year's survey, "We took many positives, but also learnt that there is room for improvement in certain areas. As we work to improve grassroots football, it is important that we listen to those directly involved, and we continually revisit this feedback as we seek to develop the national game."

And who is better placed to tell those with the power and, most importantly, the funds, what needs to be done to make sure that grassroots teams have the best opportunities to flourish, than those who look after these surfaces.

So make your voice heard by those that are in a position to help make change - take the FA's Grassroots Football Survey.