Arrow icon Printer icon PlayFC logo PlayFC logo

Local Football Facility Plan Bradford

Introduction

01

This is the Local Football Facility Plan (LFFP) for Bradford. It was prepared by Knight, Kavanagh and Page (KKP) with support from local partners, including:

  • City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council
  • West Riding County Football Association
  • Bradford City Football Club
  • Football Foundation
  • Sport England
  • Yorkshire Sport Foundation

What is the goal?

Every local area in the Country will have a LFFP to enable investment in football facilities to be accurately targeted.

Who is behind this?

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.

What is the purpose of this plan?

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 Bradford.

National Context 1.png
National Context.png

Why invest in football facilities?

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.

How are we going to do it?

£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.

What are the priorities for investment?

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:

  • 1,000 new 3G football turf pitches (FTPs): in a mix of sizes and settings, dependent upon local needs. All aimed at enhancing the quality of the playing experience.
  • 20,000 improved natural-turf pitches: to help address drop-off due to a poor playing experience.
  • 1,000 new changing pavilions / clubhouses: all linked to priority sites.
  • Small-sided facilities: to grow the small-sided game for teams & leagues, recreational and informal play.

What outcomes will be achieved?

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.

How should this plan be used?

This LFFP will, in effect, be the go-to document for football facility investment in Bradford.

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 West Riding County FA and the Football Foundation.

Set a 10-Year vision to transform local football facilities
Identify priority projects to be delivered
Act as an investment portfolio for projects that require funding
Be updated up on a regular basis

How should this plan NOT be used?

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.

National Context 2.png
National Conext 3.png

Bradford

02

Local area

Bradford is in the Yorkshire and The Humber region. The current population of the Authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 534,800. This is expected to rise to 550,874 by 2039.

38% of the Bradford population is classed as being within NS SEC classification 6-8 (lower socio-economic groups). This is above the national average (30.6%).

Bradford’s ethnic composition is primarily classed as White (67.4%) which is substantially lower than the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of Bradford’s population represented by the BAME community is 32.6%. This is more than double the national average (14.6%). The main ethnic group of the BAME community is Asian, which accounts for 26.8% of the total population.

Demographics

  • 534,800 Current population (2017)
  • 550,874 Projected population (2039)
  • 2nd most deprived out of 21 local authorities in the region
  • 30th most deprived out of 326 local authorities in England

Ethnicity data

  • Asian (26.83%)
  • Black (1.77%)
  • Mixed (2.48%)
  • Other (1.48%)
  • White (67.44%)
25%
28%
26%

% of people that are inactive

  • Bradford
  • Region
  • England

Local Partners 1.png
Local Partners 2.png

Local partners

Local Authority

Bradford’s Physical Activity and Sport Strategy (2017) has a set vision for ‘a healthy and prosperous Bradford where everyone chooses to make physical activity and sport an everyday part of their lives’. This is to be be achieved by targeting individual need based upon four primary categories: active early years, active children and young people , active adults, and active older adults. Some of the key principles of this strategy include: locally led and evidence based decision making, open transparent and inclusive to all, empowering, enabling and supporting communities and individuals to be more active and creating sustainable programmes that lead to long term health changes.

The Authority is currently updating its Playing Pitch Strategy; this is expected to be complete by the end of 2018.

County Football Association

Bradford is covered by West Riding County FA. They provide 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.

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.

Football Foundation Investment

18 Total grants
  • £10,655,384 Total project cost
  • £5,277,522 Total grant value
  • 14 Sites improved
  • 4 New 3G FTPs
  • 9 Changing rooms / pavilions
  • 29 Grass pitches improved

See Football foundation website for more info (http://www.footballfoundation.org.uk/impact/where-our-money-goes)

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 Club Community Organisations (CCOs)

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). Bradford City Football Club Community Foundation runs a variety of health, education, engagement, football and sporting activities within the local area.

Local leisure operator

Bradford Council runs its leisure facilities in house. It currently operates 14 key sites sites including swimming pools and leisure centres with gym facilities and sports halls.

Local consultation

This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in Bradford. A total of 25 individuals (representing 11 local organisations) were consulted. These include:

  • Bradford Council
  • Bradford City FC Community Foundation
  • BEAP Community Partnership
  • The University of Bradford

(See Appendix B for full list of consultees)

Local Partners 3
Local Partners 4

Local football

Clubs

There are over 91,000 community football teams in England, spread over an expansive network of clubs and leagues. Bradford has a total of 607 teams, which is comparable to 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 ten years there has been a significant national increase in the number of large multi-team football clubs. In Bradford, 19 clubs have more than ten registered teams. The largest of these (based upon 2017-18 affiliation data) are:

  • Salts - 42 teams
  • Bingley Juniors - 37 teams
  • Thackley Juniors 2003 - 31 teams
  • Silsden AFC - 27 teams
  • Ilkley Town - 26 teams
  • Queensbury Celtic - 24 teams
  • Oakworth Juniors - 23 teams
  • Bolton Wood Juniors - 19 teams
  • Burley Trojans - 18 teams

Affiliated Teams

607 Teams
  • 154 Adult male teams
  • 9 Adult female teams
  • 229 Youth male teams
  • 14 Youth female teams
  • 17 Disability teams
  • 184 Mini-soccer teams

The FA Whole Game System- season 2017/18

Leagues

Three leagues operate in Bradford. They offer competitive opportunities for adult male teams. While there are no specific league opportunities for junior football within Bradford, there is suitable provision provided in Craven.

Bradford’s largest local leagues (2017-18) include:

  • Craven, Aire & Wharfe Junior League – 445 teams – fixtures played home and away
  • Bradford Sunday Alliance League – 65 teams – fixtures played home and away
  • West Riding County Amateur League– 26 teams – fixtures played home and away

The County FA reports that there is no significant cross boundary migration in Bradford within Adult Sunday football, but there is some migration within Saturday Adult football and Junior Football due to teams migrating outwards to neighbouring leagues.

Disability football

There are 9.4million 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 Bradford there are 22 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 run Regional Centres and England national squads.

Local Football 1.png
Local Football 2.png

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. Bradford has four FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow this activity.

At 23, Bradford’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 Riding Girls League and matches are played on a home and away & central venue basis. The league is expected to grow its provision in future years. The local adult female league is the West Riding 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) is Leeds United which is located in Sherburn (Selby) . 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 Manchester City which provides player pathway opportunities for gifted and talented female players and a spectator interest for fans.

Local Football 3.png
Local Football 4.png

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.

Arrow and tshirts.png

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

  • Champion Soccer
  • Goals
  • 5 Alive Football Centre
  • Speed Ball
  • Frame 2

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 is currently two futsal teams in Bradford that don't play in a League but plays friendlies against other teams. It is a priority for the County FA to grow Futsal for youth and adult players.

SS Facilities 1.png
Small sided 2

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 is currently one FA Just Play Centre in Bradford. Walking football and Just Play are areas that the County FA has prioritised for further growth and development. Other local recreational football programmes include Community Development Centres for young children delivered by Phoenix Juniors and BEAP Community Partnership / Shapla Sports.

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).

Informal football in Bradford is currently played across a wide number of venues, particularly in local parks. Indoor 5 aside centres such as 5 Alive Indoor centre, Speedball, Frame 2 are key site locations that are widely used.

Summary

The key strengths of local football in Bradford include youth male and disability football provision. It is recommended that this is sustained and also encouraged to grow further. However, there are aspects of football provision that are lower than local authorities of a similar size, particularly provision for women and girls.

It is therefore recommended that the future football development priorities for Bradford are:

  1. Women & Girls
  2. Adult Male (affiliated game)
  3. Small Sided & Futsal
  4. Recreational offer (including Walking Football, Just Play Centres and flexible 11v11 opportunities)

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.

Assets and Opportunities

03

This section reviews existing football facility assets in [add area]. 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:

  1. 3G FTPs
  2. Improved grass pitches
  3. Changing room pavilions / clubhouses
  4. 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 each investment priority is reviewed individually, it is understood that they can be inter-reliant; account is, thus, taken of these potential connections.

3G 2.png

3G Football Turf Pitches (FTPs)

Grass 2.png

Improved Grass Pitches

Changing room 2.png

Changing room pavilions/ clubhouses

SS Facilities 2.png

Small-sided facilities

3G Football Turf pitches (FTPs)

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.

3G 1.png
3G 2.png

Assets and opportunities

FA data states that there are currently 15 3G FTPs in Bradford; this is a shortfall of two pitches relative to assessed demand.

Existing full size 3G FTPs in Bradford include:

  • Appleton Academy
  • Beckfoot & Hazlebeck School
  • Belle Vue Girls School (Zara Centre)
  • Ben Rhydding Sports Club
  • Bradford Academy (John Craig Centre)
  • Buttershaw Business & Enterprise College*
  • Dixons Allerton Academy
  • Goals (Hanson)
  • Keighley Rugby Union Football Club
  • Marley Activities & Coaching Centre
  • Southfield Grange School (x1 full size 3G FTP and x1 60m x 40m pitch)
  • Thornton Grammar School
  • Tong School*
  • University Academy, Keighley
  • University of Bradford

*Both Buttershaw Business & Enterprise College and Tong Schools have been identified as having limited community use.

Additionally, there are currently two small-sided 3G FTP centres in Bradford:

  • 5 Alive Soccer Centre
  • Goals Hanson (includes a full size 3G FTP as well as small sided cages)
  • Speedball
  • Frame 2

13 of the full sized 3G FTPs are available for community use. Eight are on the FA Register for 3G FTPs (meaning they are quality checked and can be used for football match play). It is strongly recommend that the seven remaining pitches are checked and added to the register to enable more match play on 3G.

The following site is already being developed without funding from the Football Foundation, and includes the provision of floodlit 11v11 3G FTPs:

  • One in a Million School

One in a Million School has recently been successful in acquiring funding from external partners to develop a new school and charity sports hub. At the time of writing, the feasibility for the development and the wider community use was at an early stage and it is anticipated that the facility will be completed within 1-2 years.

The geographic spread of existing facilities is uneven. There are provision gaps in central and south Bradford as well as Keighley. It is recommended that these are addressed.

Local consultation reveals common issues with a lack of availability in relation to training demand; a number of the larger clubs within Bradford suggest that they are unable to train on 3G FTPs or are only able to train at undesirable times.

15 Current 3G FTPs
2 More 3G FTPs required
4 More small-sided 3G FTPs required

Priority projects

Five priority projects for potential investment have been identified. Undersupply was calculated using the FA 3G FTP demand and supply model and taking into account the Bradford Council strategic vision in relation to the development of multi-pitch hub sites. Potential population growth has been considered when selecting priority projects. As noted earlier, Bradford’s Playing Pitch Strategy is due to be complete by the end of 2018; upon completion, this report will need to be updated to reflect its findings. Each site noted below has been endorsed by local partners based on a rationale of good access, high population, geographic spread, success and quality of existing facilities:

1 - Myra Shay Playing Fields - new floodlit 11v11 3G FTP

  • Existing facilities: three full size and one junior grass pitches with good quality changing facilities.
  • Existing users: 13 affiliated teams from clubs including BD3 United FC, Bradford Moor YFA FC, Jubo Dhol Juniors FC, Thornbury Celtic FC. *Further feasibility required to review in line with potential Woodhall Sports Ground Parklife hub site proposals. Woodhall Sports Ground is located within Bradford, however is due to potentially come under management of Leeds City Council. The site is situated 1.5km from the Myra Shay site, further demand analysis is required.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, BAME participation, women and girls, informal/recreational football, over 50s participation.

2 - Wyke Manor – new floodlit 11v11 3G FTP

  • Existing facilities: None. Proposed development on old Wyke Manor school site.
  • Existing users: No current users
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women and girls, informal/recreational football, over 50s participation.

3 - BEAP Community Partnership – new 7v7 floodlit 3G FTP

  • Existing facilities: indoor sports hall, dilapidated MUGA.
  • Existing users: indoor hall used extensively by local community, site also used by Bradford City FC Community Foundation.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; BAME participation, women and girls, informal/recreational football, over 50s participation.

4 - The Himmat Project (Manningham) – conversion of two existing sand based 7v7 floodlit FTPs to 3G

  • Existing facilities: dilapidated sand based 7v7 AGPs.
  • Existing users: none. Management of site potentially to be taken over by The Himmat Project. *Further feasibility around demand justification with potential project at BEAP community partnership to be reviewed at a later stage.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; BAME participation, women and girls, informal/recreational football, over 50s participation.

18 - One City Park Bradford – new 5v5 3G FTP (temporary ‘pitch in a box’ facility)

  • Existing facilities: none.
  • Existing users: heavily visited urban park situated in Bradford City Centre.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; BAME participation, informal/recreational football, over 50s participation

Current and proposed 3G FTP’s

Pitchfinder

Improved Grass Pitches

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 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.

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.

Grass 1.png
Grass 2.png

Assets and opportunities

There are currently 24 grass pitch sites in Bradford with three or more full-size pitch equivalents containing 94 grass pitches. At these sites the majority of pitches are classed as being of standard quality.

Local consultation shows common issues with pitch quality, and it is recommended that these are addressed.

24 Key grass pitch sites
8 Sites prioritised for improvement
35 Full-sized pitch equivalents at these sites

Priority projects

Eight priority projects for potential investment have been identified. All sites have three or more full-size pitch equivalents of standard quality. Pitch quality rating was evidenced by PPS / FA data and qualified by local partners. Due to significant number of grass pitch sites in Bradford local partners prioritised eight sites, which incorporate 35 full-size pitch equivalents. Sites were selected on the basis of utilisation and the strategic focus to improve Local Authority and club pitches:

1 - Myra Shay - works to natural grass pitches, equipment bank for club

  • Existing facilities: three full size and one junior grass pitches with good quality changing facilities.
  • Existing users: 13 affiliated teams from clubs including BD3 United FC, Bradford Moor YFA FC, Jubo Dhol Juniors FC, Thornbury Celtic FC
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, BAME participation, women and girls.

2 - Wyke Manor – works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: none. Proposed development of four full size grass pitches on old Wyke Manor school site.
  • Existing users: no current users.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women and girls, informal/recreational football, over 50s participation.

5 - Avenue Road Playing – works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: four full size grass pitches with poor quality changing facilities.
  • Existing users: eight affiliated teams from clubs including, AFC Hounds, Delius and Northern First FC.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football.

6 - Bronte School Playing Fields (Oakworth Juniors) – works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: one full size and 2 junior grass pitches with good quality changing facilities.
  • Existing users: 23 affiliated teams from Oakworth Juniors FC.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, women’s and girls.

7 - Horsfall Playing Fields – works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: two full size and one junior grass pitches with poor quality changing facilities.
  • Existing users: 11 affiliated teams from clubs including FC Dog & Gun, George United FC and Park Avenue Juniors FC.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women and girls.

8 - Marley Activities & Coaching Centre – works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: one 11v11 3G FTP, one 5v5 sand based AGP, indoor football facility, nine full size and two junior grass pitches.
  • Existing users: 31 affiliated teams; clubs include Keighley Shamrock Juniors FC, FC Sporting Keighley Shipley College FC, Keighley Athletic FC. Informal/recreational users also use the site.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women and girls.

9 - Northcliffe Park – works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: four full size grass pitches with poor changing facilities (intermittent use only).
  • Existing users: No current users. Future plans to develop as affiliated hub site. *Further feasibility is required around potential future demand for site, taking into consideration other potential developments in the area.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women and girls.

10 - Peel Park – works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: four full size and two junior grass pitches with poor changing facilities .
  • Existing users: nine affiliated teams from Eastward Green & White FC, Eccleshill Barca Juniors FC, Eccleshill Punjab First FC.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, BAME participation.

Priority grass pitch sites

Pitchfinder

Changing room pavilions / clubhouses

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.

Changing room 1.png
Changing room 2.png

Assets and opportunities

Of the 24 key sites in Bradford, 17 have suitable changing room pavilions/clubhouses, three have existing facilities that need improvement/ replacement and four have no facilities and require a new changing pavilion.

17 key sites have suitable changing rooms/ pavilions/ clubhouses
3 require improvement/ replacement
3 have no facilities and require new builds

Priority projects

Six priority projects for potential investment have therefore been identified. Each has three or more full-size pitch equivalents and has either no facilities or was assessed against a standard criteria to have an unsuitable pavilion:

2 - Wyke Manor – new changing pavilion

  • Existing facilities: none. Proposed development on old Wyke Manor school site.
  • Existing users: no current users.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women and girls, informal/recreational football, over 50s participation.

5 - Avenue Road Playing – refurbish changing pavilion

  • Existing facilities: four full size grass pitches with poor quality changing facilities.
  • Existing users: eight affiliated teams from clubs including, AFC Hounds, Delius and Northern First FC.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football.

7 - Horsfall Playing Fields – new changing pavilion

  • Existing facilities: two full size and one junior grass pitches with poor quality changing facilities.
  • Existing users: 11 affiliated teams from clubs including FC Dog & Gun, George United FC and Park Avenue Juniors FC
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women and girls.

9 - Northcliffe Park – new changing pavilion

  • Existing facilities: four full size grass pitches with no changing facilities.
  • Existing users: no current users. Future plans to develop as affiliated hub site.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women and girls.

10 - Peel Park – refurbish changing pavilion

  • Existing facilities: four full size and two junior grass pitches with poor changing facilities.
  • Existing users: nine affiliated teams from Eastward Green & White FC, Eccleshill Barca Juniors FC, Eccleshill Punjab First FC.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, BAME participation.

11 - Albion Sports Juniors (Woodhall Playing Fields) – refurbish changing pavilion

  • Existing facilities: One full size and two junior grass pitches with very poor changing pavilion.
  • Existing users: Albion Sports is the primary user. *Further feasibility required to review in line with potential Woodhall Sports Ground Parklife hub site proposals. Woodhall Sports Ground is located within Bradford, however is due to potentially come under management of Leeds City Council. Discussions are due to take place to determine if this site can be considered as part of wider hub.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, women & girls.

Priority changing rooms pavilions sites

Pitchfinder

Small-sided facilities

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.

SS Facilities 1.png
SS Facilities 2.png

Priority projects

2 Better Indoor spaces
3 MUGAs
6 Better parks/ open green spaces

Indoor

Local consultation reveals there are two indoor facilities that require improvement to develop small-sided football. Including:

13 - Womenzone – refurbish indoor facility

  • Existing facilities: indoor sports hall.
  • Existing users: women and girls from BAME community in the BD3 area of Bradford.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; women and girls, BAME participation, informal/recreational football, lower socio – economic groups, over 50s participation.

14 - Trident Sports – refurbish indoor facility

  • Existing facilities: indoor sports hall.
  • Existing users: local community, recreational football users.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; women and girls, BAME participation, informal/recreational football, lower socio – economic groups, over 50s participation, disability football.

Priority indoor sites

Pitchfinder

Multi-use Games Areas (MUGAs)

Three 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, with limited green space, high levels of deprivation, high levels of lower social economic groups and corresponding high local demand for informal football:

15 - Merlin Top Academy – upgrade MUGA

  • Existing facilities: dilapidated MUGA.
  • Existing users: the site is heavily used by young people for recreational football.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; women and girls, BAME participation, informal/ recreational football, over 50s participation, lower socio – economic groups.

16 - Marshfield, Odsal and Bankfoot Enterprises – creation of a MUGA

  • Existing facilities: none.
  • Existing users: the site is heavily used by young people for recreational football. Community organisation have plans to develop site and improve facilities.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; informal/recreational football, BAME participation, lower socio – economic groups.

17 - Buttershaw Youth Centre – upgrade MUGA

  • Existing facilities: dilapidated MUGA.
  • Existing users: the site is heavily used by young people for recreational football.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; women and girls, BAME participation, informal/ recreational football, over 50s participation, lower socio – economic groups.

Parks and open green spaces

Following local consultation, six locations have been identified to support small-sided informal football. Here, the rationale is based on highly popular local parks and open green spaces with suitable space / areas to increase informal football:

5 - Avenue Road Playing – informal football provision

  • Existing facilities: four full size grass pitches with poor quality changing facilities.
  • Existing users: eight affiliated teams from clubs including, AFC Hounds, Delius and Northern First FC. Used for recreational football.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; informal/recreational football, lower-socio economic groups.

6 - Bronte School Playing Fields (Oakworth Juniors) – informal football provision

  • Existing facilities: one full size and 2 junior grass pitches.
  • Existing users: 23 affiliated teams from Oakworth Juniors FC. Used for recreational football.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; informal/recreational football, lower-socio economic groups.

7 - Horsfall Playing Fields – informal football provision

  • Existing facilities: two full size and one junior grass pitches with poor quality changing facilities.
  • Existing users: 11 affiliated teams from clubs including FC Dog & Gun, George United FC and Park Avenue Juniors FC. Used for recreational football.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; informal/recreational football, lower-socio economic groups

9 - Northcliffe Park– informal football provision

  • Existing facilities: four full size grass pitches with no changing facilities.
  • Existing users: used for recreational football.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; informal/recreational football, lower-socio economic groups.

10 - Peel Park– informal football provision

  • Existing facilities: four full size and two junior grass pitches with poor changing facilities.
  • Existing users: nine affiliated teams from Eastward Green & White, Eccleshill Barca Juniors, Eccleshill Punjab First. Used for recreational football.
  • Rationale: participation growth in; informal/recreational football, lower-socio economic groups.

19 - Crossflats Recreation Ground – informal football provision

  • Existing facilities: none.
  • Existing users: used for recreational football
  • Rationale: participation growth in; junior football, senior football, informal/recreational football, lower-socio economic groups.

Priority small sided sites

Pitchfinder

Appendix A: Priority Project List

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.

3

3 - BEAP Community Centre

Location

BEAP COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP 31 CORNWALL ROAD, BRADFORD, WEST YORKSHIRE, BD8 7JN

Facilities
  • New 7v7 Floodlit 3G FTP (1)
Owner

Other

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.9/4

Overall score

90% (10.8/12)

Project Focus

BAME; Mini-soccer; Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues

2

2 - Wyke Manor

Location

WYKE MANOR (SITE NOT OPERATIONAL) WILSON ROAD, BRADFORD, WEST YORKSHIRE, BD12 9PX

Facilities
  • New 11v11 Floodlit 3G FTP (1)
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (4)
  • New Changing Pavilion (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.3/4

Overall score

80% (9.6/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; BAME; Mini-soccer; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues; Youth female; Youth male

6

6 - Bronte School Playing Fields (Oakworth Juniors)

Location

BRONTE SCHOOL PLAYING FIELDS Goose Cote Lane, Oakworth, Keighley, , BD22 7NG

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (3)
  • Small sided informal (Park) (1)
Owner

Education

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

75% (9.0/12)

Project Focus

Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male

8

8 - Marley Activities & Coaching Centre

Location

MARLEY ACTIVITIES AND COACHING CENTRE AIREWORTH ROAD, KEIGHLEY, , BD21 4DB

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (11)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

67% (8.0/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male

11

11 - Albion Sports Juniors (Woodhall Playing Fields)

Location

WOODHALL PLAYING FIELD SUNNY BANK LANE, BRADFORD, WEST YORKSHIRE, BD3 7DG

Facilities
  • Refurbish Changing Pavilion (1)
Owner

Football club

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

67% (8.0/12)

Project Focus

Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male

1

1 - Myra Shay Playing Fields

Location

MYRA SHAY PLAYING FIELDS Barkerend Road, Bradford, , BD3 9EP

Facilities
  • New 11v11 Floodlit 3G FTP (1)
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (3)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

66% (7.9/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; BAME; Mini-soccer; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues; Youth female; Youth male

5

5 - Avenue Road Playing Fields

Location

AVENUE ROAD PLAYING FIELDS 267 PARKSIDE ROAD, BRADFORD, , BD5 8QE

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (4)
  • Refurbish Changing Pavilion (1)
  • Small sided informal (Park) (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.8/4

Overall score

63% (7.6/12)

Project Focus

Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth male

7

7 - Horsfall Playing Fields

Location

HORSFALL PLAYING FIELDS Horsfall Playing Fields Pavilion Cemetery Road, Buttershaw, Bradford, , BD6 2NG

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (3)
  • Refurbish Changing Pavilion (1)
  • Small sided informal (Park) (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.7/4

Overall score

61% (7.3/12)

Project Focus

Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male

10

10 - Peel Park

Location

PEEL PARK Cliffe Road, Bradford, , BD3 0LT

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (6)
  • Refurbish Changing Pavilion (1)
  • Small sided informal (Park) (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.7/4

Overall score

61% (7.3/12)

Project Focus

Adult male; Mini-soccer; Youth male

14

14 - Trident Sports (Parkside Centre)

Location

PARKSIDE CENTRE PARKSIDE ROAD, BRADFORD, , BD5 8EH

Facilities
  • Refurbish Indoor Football Facility (1)
Owner

Other

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.7/4

Overall score

61% (7.3/12)

Project Focus

BAME; Disability; Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues

17

17 - Buttershaw Youth Centre

Location

BUTTERSHAW YOUTH CENTRE REEVY ROAD WEST, BRADFORD, , BD6 3PU

Facilities
  • Small sided informal (MUGA) (1)
Owner

Other

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.6/4

Overall score

60% (7.2/12)

Project Focus

BAME; IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal

13

13 - Womenzone

Location

WOMENZONE 19-21 HYBERT ST, BRADFORD, WEST YORKSHIRE, BD3 9TE

Facilities
  • Refurbish Indoor Football Facility (1)
Owner

Not known

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.4/4

Overall score

57% (6.9/12)

Project Focus

BAME; IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal

4

4 - The Himmat Project (Manningham)

Location

THE HIMMAT PROJECT (SITE TBC) SCOTCHMAN ROAD, BRADFORD, WEST YORKSHIRE, BD9 5DD

Facilities
  • New 7v7 Floodlit 3G FTP (2)
Owner

Other

Deliverability score

Low (1/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.9/4

Overall score

56% (6.8/12)

Project Focus

BAME; Mini-soccer; Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues

19

19 - Crossflats Recreation Ground

Location

CROSSFLATTS RECREATION GROUND Keighley Road, Bingley, , BD16 2HH

Facilities
  • Small sided informal (Park) (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.4/4

Overall score

56% (6.7/12)

Project Focus

IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal

15

15 - Merlin Top Academy

Location

MERLIN TOP PRIMARY ACADEMY BRAITHWAITE AVENUE, KEIGHLEY, , BD22 6HZ

Facilities
  • Small sided informal (MUGA) (1)
Owner

Education

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.3/4

Overall score

55% (6.6/12)

Project Focus

BAME; IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal

16

16 - Marshfield, Odsal and Bankfoot Enterprises

Location

Marshfield, Odsal and Bankfoot Enterprises (open space) FAXFLEET STREET, BRADFORD, WEST YORKSHIRE, BD5 9QQ

Facilities
  • Small sided informal (MUGA) (1)
Owner

Not known

Deliverability score

Low (1/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.7/4

Overall score

53% (6.3/12)

Project Focus

BAME; IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal

18

18 - One City Bradford

Location

BRADFORD ONE CITY PARK CHANNING WAY, BRADFROD, WEST YORKSHIRE, BD1 1LA

Facilities
  • New 5v5 Floodlit 3G FTP (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Low (1/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.7/4

Overall score

53% (6.3/12)

Project Focus

BAME; IMD / lower social economic groups; Small-sided informal

9

9 - Northcliffe Park

Location

NORTHCLIFFE PARK Bradford Road, Shipley, , BD18 3NP

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (4)
  • New Changing Pavilion (1)
  • Small sided informal (Park) (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Low (1/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.0/4

Overall score

42% (5.0/12)

Project Focus

Mini-soccer; Youth female; Youth male

A project's overall score provides an indication of its potential outcomes and deliverability only (weighted twice as much towards the outcomes score). It does not impact the likelihood or level of any potential investment.

Appendix B: Consultation List

09

  • Area Coordinator (Bradford East) - Bradford Metropolitan District Borough Council
  • Area Coordinator (Bradford South) - Bradford Metropolitan District Borough Council
  • Area Coordinator (Bradford West) - Bradford Metropolitan District Borough Council
  • Area Coordinator (Keighley) - Bradford Metropolitan District Borough Council
  • Area Coordinator (Shipley) - Bradford Metropolitan District Borough Council
  • Assistant Director for Sport & Culture – Bradford Metropolitan District Borough Council
  • Chief Executive Officer – BEAP Community Project
  • Chief Executive Officer – One in a Million
  • Chief Executive Officer – The Himmat Project
  • Club & Community Development Director – Bradford Park Avenue Community FC
  • Facilities & Investment Manager – West Riding County Football Association
  • Facilities Manager – Bradford Trident
  • Football Development Officer – West Riding County Football Association
  • Football Development Officer (Inclusion) – West Riding County Football Association
  • Football Development Officer (Disability) – West Riding County Football Association
  • Football Development Officer (Women & Girls) – West Riding County Football Association
  • Groundsman – BD3 United
  • Head of Commercial Services – Bradford University
  • Inclusive Sports Officer – Bradford Disability Sports & Leisure
  • Instructor – Womenzone
  • Manager – Bradford City FC Community Foundation
  • Manager – West Bowling Youth Initiative
  • Parks Technical Manager – Bradford Metropolitan District Council
  • Project Officer (Parks), Parks and Greenspaces – Bradford Metropolitan District Borough Council
  • Representative – Womenzone
  • Senior Project Manager – Bradford Metropolitan District Council (Education Services)
  • Sport Activity & Development Officer - Bradford Metropolitan District Borough Council

Survey responses were received from the following affiliated clubs:

  • Bolton Woods Juniors
  • Bradford Disability Football Club
  • Eldwick Juniors Football Club
  • Ilkley Town AFC
  • Queensbury Celtic Football Club
  • Salts Football Club
  • Thackley Football Club

Share the full Bradford plan