01
This is the Local Football Facility Plan (LFFP) for Birmingham. It was prepared by Knight, Kavanagh and Page (KKP) with support from local partners, including:
Birmingham County FA
Football Foundation
Birmingham City Council
Aston Villa Foundation
Birmingham City Community Trust
The Albion Foundation
Sport Birmingham
Sport England
Every local area in the Country will have a LFFP to enable investment in football facilities to be accurately targeted.
The Football Association, the Premier League and Sport England (on behalf of Government). This partnership finances the National Football Facility Strategy (NFFS) and commissions the Football Foundation to deliver it.
The national funding partners have significantly increased investment to accelerate efforts to deliver more and better football facilities for the grassroots game. The purpose of this plan is to identify the priority projects for potential investment in Birmingham.
As the nation’s most popular team sport, football has the power to contribute positively to vital social outcomes and health priorities. To maximise this power, facilities have to be welcoming environments to attract first-time users and repeat visits, whether for informal, recreational or competitive football.
Research clearly and continually demonstrates the positive impact high-quality football facilities, in the right locations, can have on participation and enjoyment. Latent demand exists, but facility quantity and quality has to ‘step up’ if football is to reach out to everyone.
£1.3billion has been spent by football and Government since 2000 to enhance existing football facilities and build new ones. However, more is needed if football and Government’s shared objectives for participation, individual well-being and community cohesion are to be achieved.
Nationally, direct investment will be increased – initially to £69 million per annum from football and Government (a 15% increase on recent years). Locally, the work has already started* - this LFFP will guide the allocation of 90% of national funds and forge stronger partnerships with local stakeholders to develop key sites. This, together with local match-funding will deliver over one billion pounds of investment into football facilities over the next 10-years.
This LFFP, with guidance from local partners, has developed a list of high level projects for potential investment. Each is aligned to the investment priorities set out in the National Football Facilities Strategy, which include:
The priority projects for potential investment identified in this plan will help develop a sustainable network of quality facilities to drive participation across all parts of the game. Central to this are five key success factors: quality, inclusivity, sustainability, engagement and usage. Each identified project takes account of these factors.
This LFFP will, in effect, be the go-to document for football facility investment in Birmingham.
Whilst it identifies priority projects for potential investment, it does not guarantee the success of future funding applications. Each project must still follow an application process to show how it will deliver key participation outcomes, become a quality & sustainable facility and demonstrate suitable match-funding.
When each project is in a position to proceed, the Football Foundation will determine a suitable timeframe to submit a grant application and pre-application support will be provided by Birmingham County FA and the Football Foundation.
A LFFP is an investment portfolio of priority projects for potential investment - it is not a detailed demand and supply analysis of all pitch provision in a local area. It cannot be used as a replacement for a Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) and it will not be accepted as an evidence base for site change of use or disposal.
A LFFP will however build on available/existing local evidence and strategic plans and may adopt relevant actions from a PPS and/or complement these with additional investment priorities.
02
Birmingham is in the West Midlands region. The current population of the Authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 1,137,123. This is expected to rise to 1,300,363 by 2039.
38.0% of the Birmingham population is within NS SEC classification 6-8 (lower socio-economic groups) which is considerably higher than the 30.6% national average.
Birmingham’s ethnic composition is primarily classed as White (57.9%) which is considerably lower than the national average (85.4%).
The proportion of Birmingham’s population represented by the BAME community is 42.1%. This proportion is significantly above the national average (14.6%).
Birmingham is a large and growing city, traditionally known as England’s ‘second city’. It has a rich football history and is home to two of the Country’s most historic league system clubs and one the most well known and passionate local footballing rivalries.
The City itself is very multicultural with significant South Asian, Afro Caribbean and Eastern European communities amongst others. In total, 26.6% of its 1,124,569 residents are of Asian ethnicity, which is significantly high when compared to the 7.8% national average. Furthermore, Birmingham has a high proportion BME population aged 16+ at 33.2% compared to a 13% national average.
Birmingham has a long-standing history as a sporting City and in late 2017 was awarded host City for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, building upon its reputation for athletics, aside from football.
Birmingham (in conjunction with Solihull) is one of 12 Sport England funded Local Delivery Pilots; which aim to develop bold new approaches to build healthier, more active communities across England. Around £100 million of National Lottery funding will be invested through these projects in the pilot scheme over four years, to create innovative solutions that make it easier for people in these communities to access sport and physical activity. Whilst the approach and delivery is still being developed, the pilot aims to:
*ONS data and Sport England Active Lives Survey 2016/17
The Birmingham City Council Plan and Budget (2018/19 – 2021/22) highlights the need to make further savings of £123m by 2021/22. This is a significant challenge for the City, set against major projects such as HS2, the £700 million Paradise Development and the 2022 Commonwealth Games and given that Birmingham is the sixth most deprived authority in England, where a third of children live in poverty and major cross-city disparities exist in life expectancy.
The Birmingham Development Plan (2017) was adopted by the Council in January 2017 and sets out a spatial vision and strategy for the sustainable growth of the City for the period 2011 to 2031. The Vision of the Plan is:
‘By 2031 Birmingham will be renowned as an enterprising, innovative and green City that has delivered sustainable growth meeting the needs of its population and strengthening its global competitiveness’.
The local authority has a Playing Pitch Strategy, undertaken in conjunction with neighbouring Solihull. This produced in 2017 and was formally adopted in June 2018. The key findings highlight a shortfall of full sized 3G FTPs as well as a substantial shortfall of grass pitch capacity at youth level, increasing in all pitch formats as the population increases.
Management and maintenance of playing fields and football pitches rests with the Council's Parks Department, currently operating at a 60% subsidy. The Parks Department has management responsibility for pitches and the transfer of these assets to third parties is a key driver for facilities investment due to the pressure on Council finances. The Council reports a lack of capital to invest in sports facilities, and is now heavy reliant on Section 106 opportunities for capital investment.
The Council is under significant pressure and faces cuts to budget which will see greater externalisation of playing field and community assets. Whilst some of these will be taken on by a newly formed Leisure Trust, there are a number of other sites which will offer opportunity for asset transfer to other groups including local community sports clubs.
The Health and Wellbeing Board will play an increasing role in sport and physical activity, especially with a range of sporting assets and leisure stock to be externalised to a newly established Health & Wellbeing Trust. The current strategy priorities of the Birmingham Health & Wellbeing Strategy (updated in 2017) are:
Birmingham is due to experience significant housing growth over coming years. Of greatest significance is the Langley Strategic Urban Extension, creating a new neighbourhood of circa 6000 new homes, incorporating plans for a new sports hub with grass football pitches.
Birmingham is covered by Birmingham FA which provides governance and development support to all aspects of local football including coaches, referees, volunteers, clubs and leagues; supporting football for all. The County FA has a designated facilities investment lead officer who works to ensure the right facilities are located in the right locations.
The Regional Engagement Manager and Regional Technical Project Manager at the Football Foundation work collaboratively with the County FA to provide pre-application support to priority projects for potential investment.
*See Football Foundation website for more information: www.footballfoundation.org.uk/impact/where-our-money-goes
Has a network of planning managers who have a statutory role in the planning system to protect playing fields and provide consultation responses to planning applications relating to sporting facilities . They also play a key role in strategic planning for sports facilities, providing advice and support to local authorities to assess need for facilities in their local area.
These continue to expand and enhance their range of community delivery, offering a variety of programmes and services to support local communities (sporting and non-sporting). Aston Villa Foundation, Birmingham City Community Trust and The Albion Foundation each run a variety of health, education, engagement, football and sporting activities within the local area.
Birmingham has a mixed economy of leisure operators across its portfolio of facilities, including some which are directly managed by the Council, while others are managed by commercial operators and leisure trusts. Key examples include the City's golf courses which are managed by Mytime Active, swimming pools at Harborne and Sparkhill are managed by Places for People, and Serco manages nine community sports facilities including three new facilities at Erdington, Northfields and Stetchford leisure centres.
With the Council looking to externalise the management of many more sites, it is likely that commercial operators will play an even greater role in delivering services moving forward.
This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in Birmingham. Twenty nine individuals (representing 26 local organisations) were consulted. These include:
(See Appendix B for full list of consultees)
There are over 91,000 community football teams in England, spread over an expansive network of clubs and leagues. Birmingham has a total of 764 teams, which is lower than local areas of a similar size.
The FA is investing to support clubs both on and off the pitch which includes an aim to have a qualified FA coach with every youth team by 2020/21. In addition, it will support 1,000 clubs to create full player pathways from youth to adult teams and develop 150 community football hubs with male and female pathways, disability and recreational playing opportunities.
Over the last 10-years there has been a significant national increase in the number of large multi-team football clubs. In Birmingham, 18 clubs have more than 10 registered teams. The largest of these (based upon 2017-18 affiliation data) are:
*The FA Whole Game System - Season 2017/18
Seven leagues operate in Birmingham. They offer competitive opportunities for many different players, including women and girls, disability, youth and adults
Birmingham's largest local leagues (2017-18) include:
The County FA reports that there is some cross boundary migration in Birmingham due to teams migrating outwards to the Lichfield and District Recreational League.
Relative to other local authorities, the County FA reports that Birmingham has a notably high number of teams playing within the National League System which require particular facilities to meet league regulations.
It should also be noted that there are a number of Birmingham based teams which participate within University, College, regional and professional leagues.
Disability football
There are 9.4 million people in England with a long-standing limiting disability, illness or condition which equates to 18% of the population – almost one in five. Football playing opportunities should be flexible, inclusive and accessible for everyone, whatever their level of ability. This could entail inclusion in mainstream activity or teams / sessions specifically for people with a disability.
In Birmingham there are 41 football teams/sessions specifically for people with a disability. It is a priority of the County FA to sustain and grow this provision. For talented players the FA runs Regional Centres and England national squads.
The FA has big ambitions for the female game and aims to double levels of participation by 2020. To achieve this requires a combined effort across four pathways: education, recreation, competition and talent.
Education environments have a huge impact on the first experience of football for young girls. This pathway can offer many opportunities for females of all ages to develop and grow a lifelong interest in football.
FA Wildcats girls football centres provide the first step on the recreational pathway, the programme provides girls aged 5-11 with regular opportunities to play football in a fun and engaging environment. Birmingham has eight FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow this activity.
At 38, Birmingham's number of female teams is comparable to local areas of a similar size. The County FA’s priority is to support existing clubs to grow and encourage more clubs to develop playing opportunities for females. The local girls league is the Central Warwickshire Girls League and matches are played on a home and away basis. The league is expected to grow its provision in future years. The local adult female league is the Birmingham County Women's League and matches are played on a home and away and the league is expected to sustain its provision in future years.
For talented players, the most local FA Regional Talent Club (RTC) are Birmingham City Ladies and Aston Villa Ladies which are located in Redditch and Birmingham . Higher level talent pathway opportunities are also provided regionally and nationally by the FA, culminating in the England Women’s national squads. The most local Women’s Super League team is Birmingham City Ladies which provides player pathway opportunities for gifted and talented female players and a spectator interest for fans.
Many different types of small-sided football are played in England, from teams and leagues to recreational and informal. It is an established and important part of the modern game.
Small-sided teams & leagues are organised and competitive activities; typically with players registered to clubs and affiliated to leagues and their County FAs. Examples include Futsal and local small-sided leagues running at venues such as sports halls, 3G FTPs or small-sided 3G centres.
Key local providers include:
There are examples of innovation in facility design and development of small sided centres in Birmingham which could be replicated elsewhere. For example, Goals Star City is located on the roof of a multi-storey car park and is an example of how similar spaces could be utilised as football facilities, especially within built up or inner City areas to capture the transient commuter market. Powerleague located opposite Star City also has multi-coloured surfaces which may be more engaging and attractive.
Futsal is an exciting, fast-paced, small sided team game that is widely played across the world. Typically it’s played on an indoor surface with hockey-sized goals and a size 4 football with reduced ball bounce. It is the FA’s aim to ensure Futsal is available across the country.
There are currently four futsal teams in Birmingham that play in the FA National Futsal League at key site locations including Playfootball (Birmingham Indoor). It is a priority for the County FA to grow Futsal for male, female, youth and adult players .
Recreational football is played where facilities are typically booked and there might be someone to help organise. Examples include FA Just Play sessions, walking football and casual pitch hire for small-sided match play.
There are currently 21 FA Just Play Centres in Birmingham. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisations such as Birmingham Walking Football. Walking football and Just Play are areas that the County FA has prioritised for further growth and development. Other local recreational football programmes include man vs fat/pro-club community scheme activity/Birmingham Communities League which are delivered by a range of organisations including Aston Villa Foundation and Birmingham City Community Trust and BCFA.
Informal football is played in local parks and green spaces – it is free, open access and often played spontaneously (normal clothing is worn). Common examples include a kick-about at a local park or on a multi-use games area (MUGA).
Currently, informal football in Birmingham is played particularly in the Eastern part of the Borough. Saltley Wellbeing Centre is a key site location which is heavily used.
The key strengths of local football in Birmingham include adult male, female, recreational football and disability provision and it is recommended that this is sustained and also encouraged to grow further. However, gaps in provision do exist, these include youth and mini soccer.
It is therefore recommended that the future football development priorities for Birmingham are:
The facilities required to assist this are now set out in the Assets and Opportunities section.
Additionally, each priority project that progresses to a funding application via the Football Foundation will produce a detailed ‘site development plan’ specifying all football development activity, usage and key partner engagement.
03
This section reviews existing football facility assets in Birmingham. It identifies current issues and presents opportunities for improvements, including a list of priority projects for potential investment.
Local assets and opportunities have been reviewed inline with four investment priorities:
To ensure a consistent and high quality approach, each local area has been reviewed applying a standard approach, supplemented by input from consultation with local partners and stakeholder organisations.
While each investment priority is reviewed individually, it is understood that they can be inter-reliant; account is, thus, taken of these potential connections.
04
3G FTPs are a high quality and indispensable part of modern football facilities; their impact cannot be underestimated. In recent years the industry has seen major innovations and improvements to artificial surfaces (and sports lighting). This has created playing surfaces that replicate a good standard natural turf pitch whilst significantly increasing levels of use (x20). All FTPs must have sports lighting to achieve this.
The high quality, consistent playing surface is the ideal environment to play the game and for young people to learn. With regular maintenance programmes, FTPs can be heavily used all year round with no decline in quality. They almost completely negate annoying fixture cancellations during winter months, helping football to be a key part of a regular physical activity habit.
High capacity levels offer a great opportunity to embrace all formats and engage all participants. A full-sized 3G caters for an average of 1,200 participants per week and is suitable for various location types. That means being fully inclusive to all sections of the community, with a particular focus on under-represented groups such as women and girls, people with a disability, BAME communities and people from lower socio-economic groups.
The way 3G FTPs are used is rapidly changing; current line-marking systems allow for match play across all formats of football (5v5, 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11). This enables significant levels of match-play to be transferred from grass to 3G.
The national ‘Mini Pitch’ programme delivers small 3G FTPs at primary school sites to provide a high quality introduction to football and get children more physically active. While mini pitches are reviewed in this section, they are not included in the demand and supply analysis for 3G FTPs.
FA data states that there are currently 14 full size 3G FTPs in Birmingham for football, although in practice just 12 are available for wider community use. There are also eight small sided 3G FTPs of 60x40 metre size or greater. This totals twenty 3G FTPs of varying sizes available for community football.
The Birmingham PPS identifies a shortfall of six full sized 3G FTPs, increasing to nine by 2031; however, pitches at North Birmingham and Lordswood academies have since been delivered. Consequently, the requirement is now for at least four more full sized 3G FTPs to service current affiliated team training demand, increasing to seven by 2031.
Existing available full sized 3G FTPs in Birmingham:
Further to the 14 3G FTPs for football, there are two full sized 3G pitches programmed mainly for rugby union at University of Birmingham (Bournbrook pitches) and Sandon Road but which may offer some limited capacity for football use, either affiliated or small sided.
There is also a full sized 3G pitch at Birmingham City Academy (Wast Hills) however this is a private facility which services professional club training.
Additionally, there are currently five small-sided 3G FTP centres in Birmingham:
Powerleague recently announced the planned closures of 13 centres as part of a restructuring of its assets. These sites are anticipated to close in January 2019, one of which is its site in Yardley. Small sided football is largely serviced by the commercial market in Birmingham and the subsequent impact of closure on small sided football should be monitored.
Just five of the twelve available 3G FTPs are on the FA Register for 3G FTPs (meaning they are quality checked and can be used for football match play). It is strongly recommended that the seven remaining pitches are on the register to enable more match play on 3G. Whilst not considered broadly available to external users, both Sutton Coldfield Town Football Club and Boldmere St Michael's Football Club are both FA registered. Further to the 14 pitches primarily programmed for football, a sixth 3G FTP is registered at University of Birmingham (Bournebrook pitches) where the rugby driven 3G pitch is dual FA and RFU registered.
The geographical spread of existing facilities is fairly even, though there is identified need for additional provision in the Sutton Coldfield & Erdington and Ladywood & Perry Barr areas.
There a further 53 small sided 3G FTPs (some located at aforementioned small sided centres) across Birmingham.
Price of hire at Heartlands Academy is reported to be too low to generate a sufficient sinking fund to sustain the facility.
The Council has identified the need for new secondary schools as the population increases, including a new school (Christ Church CE Academy) in Yardley. Should a 3G FTP be included within the specification for the school, a community use agreement should also be sought.
There is a pending planning application to change the surface at the Rectory Park stadium (Sutton United FC) from natural turf to 3G. In addition to performance level demand this would accommodate some limited capacity for community use for team training or small sided football. The County FA reports that the Club is not presently in a position to fund the development should it be successful in securing planning permission and that designs do not meet FA technical design guidance, therefore the Football Foundation would not be able to support the scheme to its current specifications. As such, the proposed scheme must at this point be considered aspirational.
Similarly, there is a pending planning application to develop Hayes Playing Fields in Bromsgrove as part of a relocation of Alvechurch FC. This is planned to include the development of a stadia 3G FTP with Step 3 compliant stand, pavilion and infrastructure and four adjacent grass pitches. Although Hayes Playing Fields is owned by Birmingham City Council it is located in Bromsgrove, therefore the 3G pitch would service demand from within Birmingham as well as Bromsgrove.
There are proposals for the creation of a new full size World Rugby compliant 3G pitch at Hardy Spicer. Although the usage programme will be rugby union focused, there may be some opportunity for football to access the facility at non-rugby times, to host team training or small sided football.
Six priority projects for potential investment have been identified, which will result in the development of five new full sized 3G FTPs, three sand based to 3G FTP conversions and one refurbished 3G FTP. In total this represents 8 new 3G FTPs.
Although the figure required is 7, three of the 3G FTPs and one conversion are located at university sites which are likely to offer reduced community access, therefore identification of 8 FTPs was considered appropriate.
1 - The Pavilion (Birmingham City University) - new/refurbished floodlit 11v11 3G FTPs x2 (one sand based to 3G conversion)
2 - Langley Strategic Urban Extension - new floodlit 11v11 3G FTP
3 - University of Birmingham (Metchley Lane) - new floodlit 11v11 3G FTP x2, refurbished 11v11 3G FTP x1.
4 - Castle Vale Football Stadium - floodlit 11v11 3G FTP
5 - Holte School - new floodlit 11v11 3G FTP (sand based to 3G conversion)
7 - Hollyfields Sports and Social Club - new floodlit 11v11 3G FTP
Should any of the identified priority projects not be feasible or viable to deliver, a number of others offer potential to develop new full sized 11v11 3G FTP provision which should be explored, including the following sites:
One priority project for potential investment into the development of new small sided floodlit 3G FTPs has been identified:
6 - Shenley Lane Community Association & Sports Centre - refurbish floodlit 5v5 3G FTP (sand based to 3G conversion)
The ten year long scope of the LFFP means that all existing 3G FTPs will meet the end of their recommended surface lifespan within this period. The following pitch surfaces will reach their anticipated lifespan within the next three years, and subject to rate of deterioration and quality of maintenance, are likely to require resurfacing in the short-term:
There is also an identified need for additional maintenance support for the small sided 3G FTPs at Laurel Road Community Centre. Since the site was taken on asset transfer it has received minimal regular maintenance and has become compacted. The County FA should look to provide additional support with upskilling of staff and volunteers, business planning and maintenance.
Consultation has identified that As-Suffa Institute has plans to develop a new small sided football centre, containing several cages for small sided football. The County FA should engage with the organisation and determine the potential impact on supply and demand for 3G FTP provision and possible opportunities for partnership support.
05
Playing fields are one of the most important resources for sport in England. All football players should have the opportunity to play on good quality grass pitches. However, FA data shows that 63% of pitches in England are poor / low standard and 1 in 6 games are cancelled. As such, poor pitch quality is consistently cited as the number one issue for players. The Birmingham PPS (2017) identifies that 10% of pitches in the City are of poor quality.
The priority is, therefore, to sustainably improve grass pitch quality across all main pitch owners (local authorities, education establishments and clubs). However, the level of maintenance required to obtain good quality standards is regularly affected by restricted budgets and limited knowledge/ training. Compaction and grass coverage are two key causes of poor quality pitches. Both are commonly treated via a maintenance driven solution (and do not necessarily require costly drainage schemes).
Playing fields are also valuable resources for informal play and open-access sites are encouraged but, for many, problems such as dog fouling and vandalism mean that they need to be protected with mitigation measures such as fencing.
In many local areas the key challenge is to create a sustainable approach to provide good quality football pitches for the long-term. Many local authorities (78%) intend to increase pitch hire fees in the future. However, many players (63%) believe facilities are already expensive and some (16%) believe prices are prohibitive. A sustainable solution should, therefore, carefully balance pitch quality and affordability.
While the education sector (37%) and local authorities (32%) are still the principal asset owners of grass pitches, clubs / leagues own or maintain an increasing share (currently 25%). Assets and opportunities have been considered across each sector.
Although large (3+ pitch) strategic sites are important and make up much of the project list within the LFFPs, this does not mean that other club, league and community/voluntary sites are not important or eligible for funding. These sites are key to the Football Foundation's Grass Pitch Programme to deliver 20,000 good quality pitches.
For more information click here.
The PitchPower app is the gateway to any grass pitch improvement funding. It is the tool that will allow clubs and organisations to complete pitch inspections and access funds.
If you haven't signed up and completed a PitchPower pitch inspection, you will need to do this before you can apply for the Grass Pitch Maintenance Fund.
Learn more by clicking here.
PitchFinder data indicates that there are currently 40 grass pitch sites in Birmingham with three or more full-size pitch equivalents containing 148 grass pitches.
Of these, 16 pitches are considered to be good quality, 114 are of standard quality and 18 poor quality. Local consultation shows no common issues other than basic maintenance regimes at most Council management sites.
Fifteen priority projects for potential investment have been identified, all but two of which (Merrits Brook and Broomhall Playing Fields) have three or more full-size pitch equivalents of standard quality.
Pitch quality rating was evidenced by PPS data and qualified by local partners. Due to the significant number of grass pitch sites in Birmingham local partners did not select all sites and prioritised only 15, containing 61 full-size pitch equivalents. The prioritisation was informed by local partners with the rationale of selecting sites that had the most pitches and that were most well utilised.
7 - Hollyfields Sports and Social Club - natural grass pitch improvements
8 - Rowheath Pavilion - natural grass pitch improvements
9 - Saltley Wellbeing Centre - natural grass pitch improvements
10 - Shenley Academy - natural grass pitch improvements
11 - Kings Norton Playing Fields - natural grass pitch improvements
12 - Senneleys Park - natural grass pitch improvements
13 - King Georges Field - natural grass pitch improvements
14 - Brockhurst Road Playing Fields - natural grass pitch improvements
19 - Merritt's Brook - natural grass pitch improvements
29 - Cofton Park - natural grass pitch improvements
30 - Rectory Park - natural grass pitch improvements
31 - Wood Lane Playing Fields - natural grass pitch improvements
33 - Broomhall Playing Fields - natural grass pitch improvements
1 - The Pavilion (Birmingham City University) - natural grass pitch improvements
34 - Holford Drive Community Sports Hub - natural grass pitch improvements
Further to improvements to existing pitches, there is potential to reinstate playing field sites at Green Lane, Wishaw Lane and Spring Lane subject to asset transfer.
The Council is undertaking a broad programme of asset transfer which includes a number of playing field sites to be externalised to local clubs and organisations. This is likely to generate the need for support with access to maintenance equipment and storage as well as education around pitch maintenance and programmes of work. The following sites could benefit from additional onsite maintenance and storage equipment:
A number of unattached school playing fields across the City will be taken on by schools and clubs for joint use. With school budgets and funding for maintenance likely to be limited, resident clubs may need to undertake additional works and may be required to support with maintenance in the form of equipment and capacity building of volunteers. These sites are marketed by the Council on a commercial leasehold rather than asset transfer basis. The following sites either previously provided football pitches or have the potential to provide football pitches in the future:
Where non-football organisations take on the management of facilities with existing football provision, there will be a need to capacity build and support them to be able to sustain and maintain pitches as required.
Sported is a leading Sport for Development Charity and at present works with 27 clubs and organisations in the City with regards to support and governance. It is well placed to assist those looking to take on asset transfer.
06
These can provide a number of different benefits. While the primary function is normally the provision of changing rooms to accommodate match-play and training (for players and officials), there can be equal value in facilities such as community and education rooms, catering facilities and spectator toilets.
Each project will take a progressive approach to pavilions and clubhouses (beyond the provision of changing rooms) and be open to new opportunities to engage the whole community. That means, creating environments that are welcoming to players, spectators, volunteers, officials and all sections of the community.
Such assets should support other investment priorities (e.g. 3G FTPs and grass pitches) and be located at sites that will have the greatest impact on local communities. To ensure this, focus is given to sites with three or more full-size pitch equivalents. However, as pitch quality is the number one priority for players this is prioritised before investment in changing room pavilions /clubhouses.
Clearly, facilities need to be well managed and maintained to keep them in a good state of repair. Consideration will be given to reviewing the best operator solution for key sites and the installation of revenue generating features such as catering facilities and community rooms. To achieve this, business plan support will be given to each priority project as it progresses to an application to the Football Foundation.
Of the 40 key sites with three or more full-size pitch equivalents in Birmingham, 33 have suitable changing room pavilions/clubhouses and five have facilities that need improvement/ replacement, while two have no facilities and require new pavilions (i.e. King Georges Field and Perry Hall Playing Fields).
Furthermore, the project steering group identified six additional projects for improved ancillary provision at sites which have less than three full size pitch equivalents.
New pitches and a new changing pavilion are to be developed at Wishaw Lane by Sportsco which has recently secured long-term lease of the site. The project is presently supported by the Football Foundation with a funding decision pending.
Thirteen priority projects for potential investment have been identified. Each project has was deemed to have an unsuitable pavilion requiring replacement or refurbishment, or new provision to support other facility development:
3 - University of Birmingham (Metchley Lane Pitches) - new changing pavilion
4 - Castle Vale Football Stadium - new changing pavilion
13 - King Georges Field - new changing pavilion
15 - Braemar Road Playing Fields - new changing pavilion
16 - Jaffray Playing Fields - refurbish changing pavilion
17 - Maypole FC - refurbish changing pavilion
18 - Perry Hall Playing Fields - new changing pavilion (including for cricket)
19 - Merritt's Brook - refurbish changing pavilion (improve toilet facilities)
20 - Holders Lane Complex - new changing pavilion
21 - Shenley Lane Community Association & Sports Centre - refurbish changing pavilion
22 - Bishop Walsh RC Academy - new changing pavilion
32 - Aston Park - new changing pavilion
33 - Broomhall Playing Fields - new changing pavilion
King George V Playing Fields is not identified as a site with three or more full size pitch equivalents as it only has one pitch marked out. The site has previously accommodated five pitches, and if reinstated as a strategic multi-pitch site there will be a need to develop a new changing pavilion to service the pitches.
Green Lane is a school playing field and the Council is in discussions with schools regarding it future sports usage. Although football will play a part, it will reportedly not be the main sport. Should the site host community use, it will also require access to or development of supporting accessible toilet facilities as a minimum to support community football and multi-sport use of the site.
The former unattached school playing fields at Spring Lane offer potential to be brought back into use as a site for sport and is significantly sized. Doing so would require the creation of new changing pavilion provision to service all site users including potential multi-sport considerations, however the site is reportedly prone to flooding due to a spring running beneath it.
07
Good facilities are important to all small-sided football players, but it is important to understand the different formats of the small-sided game and the various facility types they relate to.
Research suggests that small-sided players in teams & leagues, and in recreational sessions, prefer a 3G surface type because it replicates a good standard natural turf pitch. These facilities have already been covered in the 3G FTP section of this LFFP.
Indoor environments currently accommodate 20% of football participation and are also popular with players in teams & leagues and recreational sessions . Indoor sports halls are most popular, along with some community halls and indoor 3G centres. Environments need to be engaging, have clear line-marking and the correct size goalposts.
Informal players require facilities that are open and free to access as this enables play opportunities that are often spontaneous. In these circumstances multi-use games areas (MUGAs) can be effective in areas of high urban population and limited green space. Such facilities can be modern, bright, creative and engaging. While this plan will identify suitable locations for such facilities, the design and specifics of the facility type can be agreed at a later stage with Football Foundation staff when projects are ready to progress to pre-application stage.
Parks and open green spaces are also important to informal play and require goalposts and zones that are free from litter and dog fouling.
Sport England Active Places data identifies 84 sites with sports halls of four or more badminton courts in Birmingham. Three sites (University of Birmingham Health & Fitness, Doug Ellis Sports Centre and Nechells Wellbeing Centre) have at least a double court hall optimally sized to accommodate futsal. The former has a 12 court hall whilst the two other sites have eight court halls. Indoor football is mainly played at these three sites and Playfootball (formerly Birmingham International Futsal Arena.)
Three projects for the improvement of indoor football provision have been identified:
23 - University of Birmingham Health & Fitness - refurbish indoor football facility (futsal line markings)
24 - Birmingham City University (City South Campus) - refurbish indoor football facility (futsal line markings)
25 - Villa Park Academy Building - refurbish indoor football facility (entrance, reception and changing room areas)
Both Aston Villa Foundation and Birmingham City Community Trust have longer term aspirations to develop new indoor football facilities including supporting classroom and education facilities as part of the Premier League club hub programme.
Shenley Academy has recently taken on the management of the former community sports hall on its site. The Academy has aspirations to improve the quality of facilities including changing provision. Further exploration of the extent of works needed and what improvements might best support indoor football is required.
Handsworth Wood Girls School has aspirations to develop a 3G FTP; however, the steering group agreed that it may be more appropriate to explore improvement of indoor facilities at this site. This is believed to offer greater potential to improve quality and opportunities for girls, particularly the significant proportion of Asian girls who attend the school and in the local area who may require segregated and secured areas for sport.
There are a number of proposals reported for the creation of new sports halls at education sites which may be able to provide some capacity for indoor football or futsal. They are:
Two potential opportunities for MUGAs have been identified. In each case the rationale is based on the site being in an area of high urban population , limited green space , high levels of deprivation, high levels of lower social economic groups and corresponding high local demand for informal football:
26 - Rockwood Academy - refurbish MUGA (sand based to hard wearing surface conversion)
27 - Nechells area - small sided informal facility (form of free to access provision)
The Nishkam Centre is a notable landowner in the Aston area and has aspirations to develop sports provision around Soho Road. Further engagement is required by the County FA to fully understand the aspirations and the proposed facility mix.
Further work is required to understand the possible opportunities and rationale to improve the quality of informal football provision at Oaklands Young People's Centre which hosts the Council's Youth Service and is located in an area of high BAME population. To the rear of the facility is a floodlight redgra pitch and MUGA and there are a number of other community stakeholders adjacent to the facility such as the Fire Service
Following local consultation, one location has been identified to support small-sided informal football. Here, the rationale is based on local parks and open green spaces which are known to be used for informal football:
28 - St George's Park
A number of parks and open spaces may be identified as priorities through the Sport England Local Delivery Pilot and as such could benefit from improvement. These projects and sites have yet to be identified but may present opportunities for future investment.
08
This list compiles all of the priority projects for potential investment. Each project has been scored against two principle factors: deliverability and outcomes (quality, inclusivity, sustainability, engagement and usage).
The list will be used flexibly; a projects ‘rating’ does not determine the exact order that it will progress to a funding application to the Football Foundation as we understand there are many factors that influence this. The process for moving a project from this list and into the ‘pre-application stage’ will be managed by the Football Foundation.
VILLA PARK TRINITY ROAD, BIRMINGHAM, , B6 6HE
Football club
High (3/4)
3.9/4
91% (10.9/12)
BAME; Disability; IMD / lower social economic groups; Pro-club; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues
UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM SPORT AND FITNESS BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY EDGBASTON PARK ROAD, BIRMINGHAM, , B15 2TT
Education
Very High (4/4)
3.3/4
89% (10.7/12)
Futsal line markings to upgrade hall for national league futsal
Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues
BREAMER ROAD PLAYING FIELDS MONMOUTH DRIVE, SUTTON COLDFIELD, , B73 6JH
Education
Very High (4/4)
3.3/4
88% (10.6/12)
Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
BISHOP WALSH CATHOLIC SCHOOL WYLDE GREEN ROAD, SUTTON COLDFIELD, , B76 1QT
Education
Very High (4/4)
3.1/4
85% (10.1/12)
Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM (METCHLEY LANE PITCHES) METCHLEY PARK ROAD, BIRMINGHAM, , B15 2PQ
Education
Very High (4/4)
3.0/4
84% (10.1/12)
One refurbishment of existing 3G FTP, two new builds
Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues; Youth female; Youth male
Location details: Birmingham City University (City South Campus)
Education
Very High (4/4)
3.0/4
84% (10.1/12)
Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues
CASTLE VALE FOOTBALL STADIUM FARNBOROUGH ROAD, BIRMINGHAM, , B35 7LQ
Other
High (3/4)
3.5/4
84% (10.0/12)
Potential for either 3G FTP conversion of disused sand based pitch, or creation of a new 3G FTP on the grass pitch East of the stadium. Need for additional external changing provision to support this 3G development.
Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues; Youth female; Youth male
THE PAVILION (BIRMINGHAM) THE PAVILION MOOR LANE, BIRMINGHAM, , B6 7AA
Education
Medium (2/4)
3.9/4
81% (9.8/12)
One sand based to 3G FTP conversion
Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Pro-club; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues; Youth female; Youth male
ROCKWOOD ACADEMY NASEBY ROAD, BIRMINGHAM, , B8 3HG
Education
Medium (2/4)
3.9/4
81% (9.8/12)
Adult female; Adult male; BAME; IMD / lower social economic groups; Mini-soccer; Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational; Youth female; Youth male
ROWHEATH PAVILION Heath Road, Birmingham, , B30 1HH
Other
High (3/4)
3.3/4
80% (9.6/12)
Site has already received FA Pitch Improvement Programme assessment
Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
MAYPOLE FOOTBALL CLUB GREENALEIGH ROAD, BIRMINGHAM, , B14 4HT
Football club
High (3/4)
3.3/4
80% (9.6/12)
Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
SALTLEY WELLBEING CENTRE 120 BROADWAY AVENUE, BIRMINGHAM, , B9 5YD
Education
High (3/4)
3.2/4
79% (9.4/12)
Site has already received FA Pitch Improvement Programme assessment
Adult male; Youth male
SHENLEY ACADEMY Shenley Lane, Birmingham, , B29 4HE
Education
High (3/4)
3.2/4
79% (9.4/12)
Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
KINGS NORTON PLAYING FIELDS PERSHORE ROAD SOUTH, BIRMINGHAM, , B30 3EU
Local Authority
High (3/4)
3.2/4
79% (9.4/12)
Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
SHENLEY LANE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION 472 SHENLEY LANE, BIRMINGHAM, , B29 4HZ
Other
High (3/4)
3.1/4
76% (9.1/12)
Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues; Youth female; Youth male
SENNELEYS PARK 25 BARN CROFT, BIRMINGHAM, , B32 3BD
Local Authority
High (3/4)
3.0/4
75% (9.0/12)
Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
KING GEORGES FIELD SUTTON OAK ROAD, SUTTON COLDFIELD, , B73 6TQ
Local Authority
High (3/4)
3.0/4
75% (9.0/12)
Adult male
BROCKHURST ROAD PLAYING FIELD COLESHILL ROAD, BIRMINGHAM, , B36 8DX
Local Authority
High (3/4)
3.0/4
75% (9.0/12)
Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
MERRITS BROOK OAK GREEN MERRITS BROOK PUBLIC OPEN SPACE FIELD AVENUE, BIRMINGHAM, , B31 1PD
Local Authority
High (3/4)
3.0/4
75% (9.0/12)
Improve toilet facilities rather than whole changing room required
Mini-soccer
HOLDERS LANE COMPLEX HOLDERS LANE, BIRMINGHAM, , B13 8NL
Local Authority
High (3/4)
3.0/4
75% (9.0/12)
Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
JAFFRAY PLAYING FIELDS Jaffray Road, Birmingham, , B24 8AZ
Education
High (3/4)
3.0/4
75% (9.0/12)
Pro-club; Youth female; Youth male
Location details: Langley SUE
Local Authority
Low (1/4)
3.9/4
73% (8.8/12)
New strategic housing allocation - long-term project
Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues; Youth female; Youth male
HOLLYFIELDS SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB WOODACRE ROAD, BIRMINGHAM, , B24 0JT
Other
Medium (2/4)
3.1/4
68% (8.1/12)
Site has already received FA Pitch Improvement Programme assessment
Adult male; Youth male
PERRY HALL PLAYING FIELDS 52 BRAMLEY DRIVE, HANDSWORTH, BIRMINGHAM, , B20 2LP
Local Authority
Medium (2/4)
3.0/4
67% (8.0/12)
Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
Location details: nechells
Not known
Medium (2/4)
3.0/4
67% (8.0/12)
BAME; IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal
COFTON PARK LOW HILL LANE, REDNAL, BIRMINGHAM, , B45 8UN
Local Authority
High (3/4)
2.4/4
66% (7.9/12)
Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
HOLFORD DRIVE COMMUNITY SPORTS HUB HOLFORD DRIVE, PERRY BARR, BIRMINGHAM, , B42 2TU
Other
High (3/4)
2.4/4
65% (7.8/12)
Engaged with PIP
Adult female; Adult male; Youth female; Youth male
Location details: st georges park
Local Authority
Medium (2/4)
2.9/4
65% (7.8/12)
BAME; IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal
RECTORY PARK Rectory Park Rectory Road, Sutton Coldfield, , B75 7RS
Local Authority
Medium (2/4)
2.9/4
65% (7.8/12)
Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
, B28 8PT
Education
Medium (2/4)
2.9/4
65% (7.8/12)
Recrently taken on lease by Archbishop Isley Catholic School which has plans to develop the site.
Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
SHENLEY LANE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION 472 SHENLEY LANE, BIRMINGHAM, , B29 4HZ
Other
Medium (2/4)
2.8/4
63% (7.6/12)
Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
HOLTE SCHOOL WHEELER STREET, BIRMINGHAM, , B19 2EP
Education
Low (1/4)
3.0/4
58% (7.0/12)
Sand based to 3G FTP conversion
Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Pro-club; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues; Youth female; Youth male
WOOD LANE PLAYING FIELDS Romilly Avenue, Handsworth, Birmingham, , B20 2AT
Education
Medium (2/4)
2.3/4
55% (6.6/12)
Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male
ASTON PARK PAVILION AND PITCHES ASTON PARK TRINITY ROAD, ASTON, BIRMINGHAM, , B6 6JD
Other
Low (1/4)
2.7/4
54% (6.5/12)
Recently taken on asset transfer by community organisation
Mini-soccer; Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational; Youth female; Youth male
09
A range of local agencies and larger (usually 10 plus team) local football clubs were invited to participate in the LFFP consultation. Those that contributed are listed below:
Share the full Birmingham plan
Share the plan
