Local Football Facility Plan Blackpool

Blackpool is in the North West Region.

The current population of the Authority (ONS 2018 Mid-Year Estimate) is 139,305. This is expected to fall to 136,452 by 2039.

Blackpool is ranked two out of 39 LAs in the region, and four out of 326 LAs nationally on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (ONS).

Blackpool's ethnic composition is primarily white (97%). This is higher than the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of Blackpool’s population represented by the BAME community is 3%. This is below the national average (14.6%)

Local authority

The 2019-2024 Blackpool Council Plan reaffirms the Council's commitment to the direction it took in 2015 which focuses on strengthening the local economy and its communities. With Blackpool still facing many difficult issues it will continue to focus on the things that matter – improving tourism and the job opportunities for everyone in the town, and creating stronger and safer communities. Some plan elements focus on using programmes and projects already in place to deliver more, faster, while others reference starting new projects to fit with its vision and priorities.

The Council Plan is built around two main goals which give a clear focus and direction; 'The Economy: Maximising growth and opportunity across Blackpool' and 'Our Communities: Creating stronger communities and increasing resilience'. Pertinent points relating to sport and football include population growth through new housing developments at Grange Park and Foxhall Village, a commitment to make more green, open spaces where possible and development of family hubs in local neighbourhoods.

The Authority Playing Pitch Strategy was adopted in 2016 and updated in 2019. The key findings and stated overarching priorities are to increase the number of 11v11 3G FTPs to reduce shortfalls for team training and support grass pitch supply by improving the quality of key grass pitch sites at both local authority and school sites (where there is community use). This is of particular importance with reference both to multi-pitch sites managed by clubs, and to ensure that all key sites are suitably supported by access to toilet facilities and changing provision (dependent on the on-site user groups).

Blackpool’s Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy (2018) identifies that one quarter of the town’s open space is provided in and around Stanley Park, which is one of the largest parks of its kind in the country. It is historically important and has Grade II status on the National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. The Park facilitates sport through its provision of outdoor sports space, tennis courts, flat and crown green bowling and all weather pitches. It hosts many regional and national events and in 2017 was voted Best UK Park by Fields in Trust. Through its parks development plans, the Council aims to encourage niche businesses, education facilities, sports and events that add social value, income streams and training opportunities. By linking Stanley Park to other parks in Blackpool, Lytham St Annes and Fleetwood, it aims to build civic pride.

County football association

Blackpool is covered by the Lancashire County FA. It provides governance for, 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.

Football Foundation

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.

Sport England

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.

Professional community club organisations (CCOs)

These offer a variety of programmes and services to support local communities (sporting and non-sporting). The Blackpool FC Community Trust runs a variety of health, education, engagement, football and sporting activities within the local area.

Local leisure operator

Sport Blackpool is the main leisure operator in Blackpool. It runs three key sites (Blackpool Sports Centre, Moor Park Leisure Centre and Pallatine Leisure Centre) all of which have sports halls. There is a 11v11 3G FTP and an artificial grass pitch at Blackpool Sports Centre situated within Stanley Park.

Local consultation

This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in Blackpool. Ten individuals (representing nine local organisations) were spoken to. The agencies consulted include:

• Clifton Rangers JFC
• Fylde Coast Futsal Club
• Blackpool FC Community Trust

(See Appendix B for full list of consultees)

Clubs

There are over 91,000 community football teams in England, spread over an expansive network of clubs and leagues. Blackpool has a total of 246 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 Blackpool, 11 clubs have more than ten registered teams. The largest of these (based upon 2018-19 affiliation data) are:

• Clifton Rangers FC - 43 teams
• Bispham Juniors F.F. - 34 teams
• Spirit of Youth - 17 teams
• Foxhall - 25 teams
• South Shore Youth - 15 teams
• Layton Juniors FC - 15 teams
• AFC Blackpool - 14 teams
• F.C. Rangers - 11 teams

Leagues

Five leagues operate in Blackpool. They offer competitive opportunities for many different players, including women and girls, futsal, youth and adults. While there is no specific league opportunity for disability football within Blackpool, suitable provision is made in neighbouring boroughs, most locally Preston. The largest of the local leagues serving Blackpool clubs and teams (2018-19) include:

• Poulton District Primary League - 287 teams (home and away 9v9 and 11v11, central venue at multiple sites for mini soccer)
• Blackpool & District Youth Football League – 46 teams (home and away fixtures)
• Blackpool & Fylde Sunday Football Alliance – 29 teams (home and away fixtures)

The County FA reports some cross boundary migration to/from Blackpool due to teams migrating inwards for youth football (to the Poulton and District Primary League from neighbouring Fylde and Wyre) and outwards for adult football (to the Lancashire Sunday Football League for U18’s and adult provision in Preston).

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 Blackpool there are four football teams / sessions specifically for people with a disability. These are Blackpool FC Community Trust, Blackpool & the Fylde College, Blackpool Storm and North West Scorpions. It is a priority of the County FA to grow this provision. For talented players the FA runs regional centres and England national squads.

Women and girls

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. Blackpool has ten FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow this activity.

At 23, Blackpool’s number of female teams is lower than 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 West Lancashire Girls Football League in which matches are played on a home and away basis. It is expected to grow its provision in future years. The local adult female league is the Lancashire FA County Women’s League in which matches are played on a home and away basis; it too is expected to grow provision in future years.

For talented players, the most local FA Regional Talent Club (RTC) is Blackburn Rovers. 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 teams are Manchester City FC and Manchester United FC, with Blackburn Rovers FC also competing in the FA Women’s Championship . Collectively, these clubs provide player pathway opportunities for gifted and talented female players and a spectator interest for fans.

Small sided football

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 and 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

• Playfootball Blackpool
• Sport Blackpool - Blackpool Sports Centre (Stanley Park)

Futsal is an exciting, fast-paced, small sided team game that is widely played across the world. Typically it is 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 that futsal is available across the country.

There are currently 48 futsal teams in Blackpool that play in the Fylde Coast Futsal League at key site locations including Blackpool Sports Centre. It is a priority for the County FA to grow futsal for all male, female, youth and adult players.

Recreational football

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 three FA Just Play centres in Blackpool. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisations such as Blackpool FC Community Trust. Walking football and Just Play are County FA priorities for further growth and development. Other local recreational football programmes include Man vs Fat, Blackpool FC Community Trust activity and casual bookings delivered by a range of organisations including Blackpool Council (Sport Blackpool), Blackpool FC Community Trust, Blackpool Coastal Housing and local charities.

Informal football

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 Blackpool is played particularly in local parks and open spaces managed by the local authority. Venues such as Stanley Park, Talbot & Brunswick Sports Barn and many other key site locations are well used.

The key strengths of local football in Blackpool include the number of large sustainable clubs and it is recommended that this is sustained and also encouraged to grow further. However, there are aspects of football provision that are less well developed than local authorities of a similar size, these include the absence of local adult football league on Saturdays, the fact that there is no youth football league at U18s age operating within the Borough and the shortage of 3G FTPs. It is therefore recommended that the future football development priorities for Blackpool are:

1. Additional 11v11 3G FTP training and match play facilities
2. Improve changing/and social facilities at key strategic sites for football
3. Develop more recreational and informal football, by enhanced community small sided activity
4. Significantly develop and deliver the FA Pitch Improvement Programme across several key sites, to enhance and maintain quality grass facilities.
5. Develop and grow futsal along with facility improvements for the game, including refurbishment.

The facilities required to assist this are now set out in the Assets and opportunities section.

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.

This section reviews existing football facility assets in Blackpool. 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 in line with four investment priorities:

• 3G FTPs
• Improved grass pitches
• Changing room pavilions / clubhouses
• Small sided facilities

To ensure a consistent and high quality approach, each local area is reviewed applying a standard approach, supplemented by input from consultation with local partners and stakeholder organisations.

While investment priorities are reviewed individually, it is understood that they can be inter-reliant; account is, thus, taken of these potential connections.

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 full-sized (11 v 11) 3G FTPs in Blackpool are located at:

• Bispham Sports Centre (Blackpool & The Fylde College)
• Blackpool Sports Centre (Stanley Park)
• Unity Academy Blackpool
• Armfield Academy (no floodlighting)

There is a small-sided 3G FTP centre in Blackpool at Playfootball; this has seven 5v5 3G FTPs. In addition there is an unlit (5v5) 3G FTP at the South Shore Academy.

As noted earlier, the Blackpool PPS was updated in 2019. It indicates a shortfall of two full size 3G FTPs.

All four full-sized 3G FTPs are available for community use although, in practice, there is presently no community use at Armfield Academy. While a formal community use agreement is in place, an operating model in respect of outdoor provision onsite has not as yet been established. The lack of floodlighting renders the pitch unavailable at midweek evening peak demand times for team training. It is recommended that community use opportunities are explored at Armfield Academy in daylight hours, particularly potential registration and match play use at weekends. All the three floodlit full-sized venues are on the FA Register for 3G FTPs (meaning they are quality checked and can be used for football match play). It is recommended that Armfield Academy is assessed and placed on the Register to enable more match play on 3G as part of the process of driving greater community use of the site.

The geographic spread is presently uneven; provision is good in the north and central parts of the Authority but there are gaps in the south (specifically the South Shore, Common Edge and Mereside areas) despite substantial population levels, team demand and high levels of deprivation. It is recommended that these gaps are addressed.

The Authority is seeking to develop two new 3G FTPs at Common Edge Road as part of its plans to mitigate the proposed loss of the existing onsite pitches to development of the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone. The proposal is to relocate some pitches to neighbouring land (which lies in Fylde Borough), with the additional development of two new 11v11 3G FTPs on part of the existing Common Edge Road site. The local authority border with Fylde intersects the two portions of the identified footprint for the new re-provided facilities.

Development of two full-sized 3G FTPs in mitigation would provide team training capacity beyond that which is required to service demand in Blackpool and it was agreed via consultation in/with both local authorities that it would be most appropriate to address 3G FTP shortfalls in the North West Fylde area at this proposed new development. The majority of demand on the North West Fylde border is exhibited by St Annes Juniors, based at Blackpool Road North Playing Fields, just 1.5 miles from the Common Edge Road site; these facilities would, thus, be more easily accessible than most other sites in Fylde.

Blackpool FC is looking to develop a new training ground in Blackpool in order to enable it to relocate from Squires Gate in Fylde. The Club reports that it considers it to be important that the site is in the heart of the Blackpool community. The site (location yet to be established) will cater for the Club's professional and academy facility requirements and will probably comprise both natural grass and 3G FTP provision. It is not anticipated that facilities will be accessible to external community groups, though there may be some access available via Blackpool FC Community Trust programming.

The South Shore Academy and Blackpool Borough Council partnership is presently exploring the potential to install floodlighting at the existing 5v5 3G FTP at the school. It is also looking at taking the opportunity to FA Register the pitch to enable match play use by South Shore Juniors which uses the site.

Three priority projects for potential investment are identified. These are proposed based upon a rationale of improving access to 3G in specific areas of the Authority and their related capacity to service a high proportion of people from lower social economic groups:

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 quality and one in six games is cancelled. As such, poor pitch quality is consistently cited as the number one issue for players.

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 a 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.

The key challenge is to create a sustainable approach to provide good quality football pitches for the long term. Most local authorities (78%) intend to increase pitch hire fees in the future. However, the majority of 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.

PitchPower

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.

There are currently ten grass pitch sites in Blackpool with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three pitches but deemed to be of strategic importance). These contain 44 grass pitches. Of these sites, seven are considered to have standard quality pitches and three to have poor quality pitches.

One of the ten grass pitch sites identified, Common Edge Road is a significant multi-pitch venue (11 full size football pitch equivalents). It will require sequential pitch improvements over time to relocated grass football pitches to ensure they are re-provided and maintained to a better standard.

Local consultation did not highlight any specific perjorative issues with quality, pricing, availability or community access.

The pitch at Claremont Park is scheduled to be temporarily out of use due to utility ground works but will in turn be improved and reinstated in future without funding via the Football Foundation.

Of the ten key pitch sites referenced above it was determined that five of these should be prioritised. This will result in quality improvements to 18 pitches.

Five priority projects for potential investment are identified. Pitch quality rating was evidenced by PPS and ratified by local partners. Prioritisation was based on a rationale of selecting larger multi-pitch sites that are, or have the potential to be, well utilised.

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 ten key grass pitch sites in Blackpool with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three but deemed to be of strategic importance), five have suitable changing rooms, two sites require replacement (Common Edge Road and Boundary Park) and two (Moor Park Extension and Fishers Field) have no facilities and require new pavilions.

Blackpool Sports Centre (Stanley Park) has suitable changing provision but the proposed conversion to create a second 3G FTP onsite will necessitate development of new provision separate from the Sports Centre to effectively accommodate increased footfall and better service outdoor pitch provision avoiding 'congestion' with indoor facility users. Similarly, replacement of pavilion provision at Common Edge Road is required to support the proposed development of 3G FTP provision and relocation of pitches to the south of the site.

Five priority projects for potential investment are identified:

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 and leagues, and in recreational sessions, prefer a 3G surface type because it replicates a good standard natural turf pitch. These facilities are already covered in the Plan's 3G FTP section.

Indoor environments currently accommodate 20% of football participation and are also popular with players in teams and 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.

Consultation with key stakeholders indicates that, at present, one indoor facility at Blackpool Sports Centre requires improvement to develop small sided football. The sports hall is used, amongst others, by Fylde Coast Futsal Club which has lost access to one court due to the conversion of this space to soft play and as such now disperses its activity across several sites.

An opportunity has been identified to improve the retained space specially for futsal in the short term, whilst there are wider possible redevelopment considerations for the site in the future which may present an opportunity for development of a dedicated futsal facility.

Consultation with key stakeholders suggests that that there are two potential opportunities for improvement MUGAs. One is at Talbot & Brunswick Sports Barn & Park; this would be located within an area of high deprivation and the site is a key point in the community for local young people. The site is used for informal football by Blackpool Boys & Girls Club and Blackpool FC Community Trust. The Council has plans to improve the neighbouring park by removing the inter-spacing walls which run throughout in order to open up the site and improvement of the adjacent recreation facilities would accompany this to improve the site as a whole.

No locations are, at present, identified to support small sided informal grass-based football in parks and open spaces.

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:

• Head of Facilities & Investment - Lancashire FA
• Football Development Officer - Lancashire FA
• Engagement Manager - Football Foundation
• Planning Manager - Sport England
• Parks Service Manager - Blackpool Council
• Chief Executive Officer - Blackpool FC Community Trust
• Blackpool F.C. Girls
• Clifton Rangers J.F.C. (Blackpool)
• Fylde Coast Futsal Club
• Layton Juniors