Local Football Facility Plan Bolton

Bolton is in the North West Region.

The current population of the Authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 283,115. This is expected to rise to 300,351 by 2039.

Bolton is ranked 16 out of 39 LAs in the region, and 63 out of 326 LAs nationally on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (ONS).

Bolton's ethnic composition is primarily white (81.88%). This is lower than the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of Bolton’s population represented by the BAME community is 18.12%. This is above the national average (14.6%)

Local authority

The Bolton Council Core Strategy was adopted in 2011. It sets out the vision and framework for development in the Borough until 2036. With a predicted growing population the Core Strategy seeks to ensure that important infrastructure is in place to support future need such as new homes, employment, healthcare, transport and leisure; while protecting the Borough's important and valued green spaces and heritage assets.

The Authority Playing Pitch Strategy was developed in 2013. At that time it highlighted an undersupply of youth grass pitches. It also noted the fact that many changing facilities, especially at Council owned sites were of poor quality. It should be noted that the PPS has not, as yet, been refreshed and is now out of date.

County football association

Bolton 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 Bolton Wanderers Community Trust runs a variety of health, education, engagement, football and sporting activities within the local area.

Local leisure operator

Bolton Community Leisure is the leisure operator in Bolton. In tandem with Serco, it currently runs five key sites; Farnworth Leisure Centre, Horwich Leisure Centre, Leverhulme Park Leisure Centre, Westhoughton Community Leisure Centre, and the Jason Kenny Centre. Both Westhoughton and Horwich leisure centres have full sized 3G FTPs which are well used for affiliated football training and match play. Westhoughton is also utilised for match play.

Local consultation

This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in Bolton. 20 individuals (representing 17 local organisations) were spoken to. The agencies consulted include:

• Bolton Metropolitan Council
• Bolton, Bury & District Football League
• Turton High School
• Moss Bank Juniors FC

(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. Bolton has a total of 491 teams, which is higher 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 Bolton, seven clubs have more than 10 registered teams. These (based upon 2018-19 affiliation data) are:

• Ladybridge FC - 39 teams
• Bolton County FC - 30 teams
• Bolton Lads & Girls Club - 29 teams
• Moss Bank Juniors - 26 teams
• Horwich RMI Juniors - 22 teams
• Horwich St Mary's FC -22 teams
• Oxford Grove Juniors - 21 teams

Leagues

Four leagues serve clubs and teams in Bolton. They offer competitive opportunities for many different players, including women and girls, youth and adults. While there is no specific league opportunity for disability teams within Bolton, suitable provision is made in neighbouring Preston. The largest local leagues (2018-19) include:

• Bolton, Bury and District Football League - 566 teams - home and away / central venue at multiple sites
• Community Partnerships League - 126 teams - home and away / central venue at multiple sites
• Bolton & District Sunday Football League - 16 teams - home and away
• Bolton Sports Federation Over 35's VETS League - 33 teams - home and away

The County FA reports significant cross boundary migration to/from Bolton primarily due to teams playing in the Bolton, Bury and District League.

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 Bolton there are 14 football teams / sessions specifically for people with a disability. 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. Bolton has four FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow this activity.

At 21, Bolton’s number of female teams is higher 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. There are girl's leagues within both the Bolton, Bury and District Football League and the Community Partnership League. In both of these leagues matches are played on a central venue basis. Girls football provision is expected to grow its provision in future years. The local adult female league is the Women's County League in which games are played on a home and away basis. It too is expected to grow its provision in future years.

For talented players, the most local FA Regional Talent Club (RTC) is Blackburn Rovers FC which is located in Blackburn. 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 Blackburn Rovers FC which provides 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:

• Powerleague Bolton
• Bolton Arena - USN Bolton
• Leisure Leagues - Horwich Leisure Centre
• Leisure Leagues - Westhoughton Leisure Centre

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 13 futsal teams in Bolton that play in the Red Rose Futsal League at key site locations including Ladybridge High School. It is a priority for the County FA to grow futsal for all 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 five FA Just Play centres in Bolton. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisation such as Bolton Wanderers Community Trust. Walking football and Just Play are County FA priorities for further growth and development. Other local recreational football programmes include the Bolton Arena Recreational Football League.

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 Bolton is played across the local area. Queens Park, Leverhulme Park and Moss Bank Park are key well-used site locations.

The key strengths of local football in Bolton include grassroots leagues, vets football & Futsal provision and it is recommended that this is sustained and encouraged to grow further. Gaps in provision include recreational, turn up and play provision. It is, therefore, recommended that the future football development priorities for Bolton are

1. Growth in recreational football and access to facilities in targeted areas.
2. Further opportunities for growth in Futsal with development and reconfiguration of facility.
3. 3G facilities with possible emphasis on training and smaller sided 3G facilities.
4. Development of changing facilities/ pavilions adapted to meet the needs of youth 7v7 etc.
5. Improvement of grass pitch quality at key sites.

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 Bolton. 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 has been 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.

There are nine full-sized (11 v 11) 3G FTPs in Bolton, located at:

• Bolton St Catherine's Academy
• ESSA Academy
• Bolton Lads & Girls Club (Hacken Lane Multi Sport Facility)
• Horwich Leisure Centre
• Ladybridge Football Club (Tempest Road site)
• Ladybridge High School
• Little Lever School & Sports Centre
• Westhoughton Community Leisure Centre
• Bolton Wanderers Academy

In addition, there are 20 small-sided 3G FTPs:

• Bolton Arena (five 5v5, one 9v9)
• Powerleague, Leverhulme Park (nine 5v5)
• Bolton Wanderers Academy (one 9v9 with a domed covering)
• Castle Hill Young People's Centre (two 5v5)

Further to the above, work commenced in July 2019 on installation of a full size (11v11) 3G FTP at Kearsley Academy (on Springfield Road). This is being undertaken without funding via the Football Foundation. This facility should help cater for demand in the south east of the Authority and a community use programme has been proposed for the new facility.

As noted above, the Authority's PPS was produced in 2013 and has not been updated. As a result, demand for full sized 3G FTPs has been calculated using FA 3G demand modelling (1:38). Based upon the FA training demand model, there is a shortfall of four full-sized 3G FTPs relative to assessed demand. The majority of the abovementioned full size 3G FTPs are available for community use. The facilities at the Bolton Wanderers Academy are utilised by the Club's Community Trust and are considered to offer some community usage.

Six of the full size (11v11) 3G FTPs (those at Bolton St Catherine's Academy, ESSA Academy, Bolton Lads & Girls Club, Ladybridge FC, Ladybridge High School, Little Lever School & Sports Centre and Westhoughton Community Leisure Centre) and one 9v9 3G FTP (the one at Bolton Wanderers) are on the FA Register for 3G FTPs (i.e., they have been quality checked and passed for use for football match play). It is recommended that other existing and any future 3G FTP developments (full and/or small sided) are assessed and placed on the Register to ensure quality and enable more match play on 3G.

The geographic spread of 3G facilities is fairly even across the borough. However, there are provision gaps in the north east and south central/east areas despite high levels of population and it is recommended that these are addressed. Local consultation confirms common issues associated with facility hire costs and limited availability. It is recommended that these are addressed.

Seven priority projects for potential investment are identified; two full sized and four small sided 3G FTPs plus one full sized 3G FTP facility refurbishment. Whilst these will not meet the identified full-sized 3G FTP shortfall of four (based on affiliated demand) it is recommended that future iterations of the plan address this if and when land/development opportunity becomes available and an updated PPS identifies more specific requirements.

The abovementioned non Football Foundation funded scheme at Kearsley Academy will have an impact on supply and related demand distribution. In addition Bolton University has the aspiration to develop a community accessible 3G FTP although, at the time of writing no sites have been identified nor are firm plans in place for this development. Options proposed were selected based upon site availability and the need to service affiliated football and key settlements:

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 23 grass pitch sites in Bolton with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three pitches but deemed to be of strategic importance). These contain 83 grass pitches. (One single pitch site is included on this list; it is considered to be strategic due to the number of teams that the site supports).

In addition to the 23 grass pitch sites identified above, one new site; Green Lane Playing Fields, also require pitch investment.

Local consultation confirms common issues associated with poor pitch quality to address. It should be noted that over the last 10-15 years key grass pitch sites in Bolton have been in receipt of significant levels of funding for grass pitch improvement; the majority of club consultation feedback suggests that pitches are of poor quality due to insufficient ongoing maintenance rather than actual capital investment.

Hulton Lane Playing Fields (new grass pitches and a changing pavilion) is already being developed without funding via the Football Foundation: This project is being funded by developer contributions.

Of the 23 key pitch sites referenced above it was determined that seven should be prioritised. This will result in quality improvements to 22 pitches:

Seven priority projects for potential investment are identified. This will result in quality improvements to 22 pitches.

Due the lack of an up to date PPS, pitch quality ratings were evidenced via recent PIP reports and club/council consultation. Prioritisation was based on a rationale of selecting sites in the poorest condition, that were, or offered the potential to be, best utilised and which serve key local communities:

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 23 key grass pitch sites in Bolton with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three but deemed to be of strategic importance) 16 have suitable changing rooms, six require improvement/replacement and one has no facilities and requires a new changing pavilion.

In addition, Bolton Wanderers Academy and Community Trust has plans to develop an improved changing facility with classroom space.

Eight priority projects for potential investment are identified (including the Bolton Wanderers site). Prioritisation was informed by local partners with the rationale of selecting sites which are deemed to have an unsuitable pavilion requiring replacement or refurbishment, or sites requiring new provision to support participation or other facility development:

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 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 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.

Local consultation indicates that no indoor facilities currently require improvement to develop small sided football.

Four potential opportunities for MUGAs are identified. In each case the rationale is based on the site being in an area of substantial population density with limited green space and corresponding high local demand for informal football.

Following local consultation, and assisted by the Sport England green spaces mapping tool no locations have been identified to support small sided informal football.

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:

• CEO - Bolton CVS
• Club representative - AFC Bolton
• Club representative - Astley & Tyldesley JFC
• Club representative - Astley Bridge FC
• Club representative - Bolton Bullets Powerchair FC
• Club representative - Bolton United FC
• Club representative - Breightmet Wanderers FC
• Club representative - Moss Bank Juniors FC
• Club representative - Turton Tigers FC
• Club representative - Breightmet United FC
• Engagement Manager - Football Foundation
• Executive Director (Special Projects) - Bolton University
• Football Development Officer (Bolton) - Lancashire Football Association
• Head of PE - Turton High School
• Head of Trust - Bolton Wanderers Community Trust
• Head of Facilities & Investment - Lancashire Football Association
• Head of Service (Neighbourhood Services) - Bolton Metropolitan Council
• League Secretary - Bolton, Bury & District Football League
• Operations Manager Sport & Active Living Service - Bolton Metropolitan Council
• Strategic Manager - Bolton Wanderers Community Trust