Local Football Facility Plan Croydon

LB Croydon is in the Greater London Region.

The current population of the authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 382,304. This is expected to rise to 442,615 by 2039. Croydon has the highest overall population of all London boroughs.

Croydon is ranked 19 out of 33 LAs in the region, and 91 out of 326 LAs nationally on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (ONS).

Croydon's ethnic composition is primarily white (55.1%). This is significantly lower than the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of Croydon’s population represented by the BAME community is 44.9%. This is significantly above to the national average (14.6%). Some parts of Croydon share more characteristics with inner London boroughs than traditional outer London boroughs. Croydon's diversity is now comparable with other London boroughs such as Hackney, Lewisham, Lambeth and Southwark.

Local authority

The LB Croydon Local Plan identifies a number of specific objectives. These all fall within Strategic Objective 6, which identifies a need to “provide and promote well designed emergency services, community, education, health and leisure facilities to meet the aspirations and needs of a diverse community.”

The two sections below identify the Green Grid (Policy SP7) and Community Facilities (SP5) as the relevant policies for this strategy. Firstly, SP7 identifies the importance of open space and confirms that the Council will protect and safeguard the existing Green Belt, as well as providing and improving open space provision across the borough. Secondly, SP5 identifies community facilities (including sports and physical activity venues) as a priority where any new development in the borough will potentially lead to the development of new or improved community facilities. Finally, SP5 identifies that where possible and suitable, the co-location of facilities will be supported to provide more efficient facilities.

The Croydon Playing Pitch Strategy was developed in 2016. The key findings are that there is an identified spare capacity for grass pitches, especially those that are marked as adult 11v11 pitches. With only four pitches identified as being over-capacity, there is an opportunity to consolidate the existing stock of pitches and provide a more focused, high-quality facility portfolio. The PPS also identifies that ancillary provision for football across the Authority is an issue. While there are limited examples of high quality changing pavilions and ancillaries, these are largely located at education sites, where community access is mixed. Site assessments identified that a number of key local authority owned sites, such as Purley Way Playing Fields, Ashburton Playing Fields, Grange Par and Coombe Lodge, all have poor quality ancillary facilities. The PPS (albeit based upon the previous FA training demand model of one full-sized 3G FTP accommodating 42 teams training on a weekly basis) identifies a shortfall of three full sized 3G FTPs.

County football association

Croydon is covered by the Surrey 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 (Crystal) Palace for Life Foundation runs a variety of health, education, engagement, football and sporting activities within the local area.

Local leisure operator

GLL is the key leisure operator in Croydon. It runs seven key sites across the borough. Those with football facilities include Monks Hill Sports Centre (two 7v7 3G FTPs) and Croydon Sports Arena (one stadia grass pitch).

Local consultation

This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in Croydon. 17 individuals (representing 15 local organisations) were spoken to. The agencies consulted include:

• LB Croydon
• Palace for Life Foundation
• Kinetic Foundation

(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. Croydon has a total of 199 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 Croydon, seven clubs have more than 10 registered teams.

Please note that some clubs affiliate their girls and adult sections separately and that these have been combined with the relevant clubs so that all teams are included.

These (based upon 2018-19 affiliation data) are:

• Crystal Palace Foundation Academy - 20 teams
• R&R FC - 16 teams
• BB Soccer - 14 teams
• Old Coulsdon Colts - 14 teams
• Crystal Palace Ladies (Youth) - 13 teams
• Crystal Palace Youth - 10 teams
• Skillz United - 10 teams

Leagues

14 leagues serve clubs and teams in Croydon. They offer competitive opportunities for many different players, including women and girls, youth and adults. While there is no specific league opportunity for disability football within Croydon, suitable provision is made in neighbouring Elmbridge via the Surrey Football For All League. The largest local leagues catering for football in Croydon (2017-18) include:

• Croydon Municipal League (Adult) – 19 teams– home and away
• Surrey Youth League – 16 teams– home and away
• Epsom & Ewell Youth League – 37 teams– home and away

The County FA reports low levels of cross boundary migration to/from Croydon.

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 Croydon there are no football teams / sessions specifically for people with a disability. It is a priority of the County FA to initiate and 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. Croydon has three FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow and sustain this activity.

At eight, Croydon’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 Surrey County Women and Girls League in which matches are played on a home and away basis. It is expected to grow and sustain its provision in future years. The local adult female league is not in operation within Surrey currently, however a flexible small sided ladies league is; it plays 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 clubs (RTCs) are Chelsea FC, Charlton Athletic and Gillingham FC located in Kingston upon Thames, Greenwich and Medway respectively. 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 Crystal Palace Ladies 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 Croydon (located in neighbouring Sutton).

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 is currently one futsal team in Croydon. It plays friendly fixtures at key site locations including Harris Academy. 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.

At present, there is no FA Just Play centre in Croydon. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisation such as Croygas Falcons, and the Palace for Life Foundation. Walking football and Just Play are County FA priorities for further growth and development.

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 Croydon is played across the borough. Park Hill Park, Purley Way Playing Fields are key, heavily-used, site locations.

The key strengths of local football in Croydon include well-run, well subscribed leagues and the number of Charter Standard clubs in the borough. It is recommended that this is sustained and also encouraged to grow further. However, there are provision gaps; these include the quantity and quality of adequate facilities. It is therefore recommended that the future football development priorities for Croydon are:

1. Engaging more people in a heavily populated area to access the game
2. The growth and sustainability of Wildcats Centres
3. Increase in recreational football and JustPlay centres
4. Working with existing clubs to increase operating standards
5. Growth in disability football provision

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 Croydon. 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 each investment priority is 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 three full-sized (11 v 11) 3G FTPs in Croydon located at:

• Selhurst Sports Arena (one youth 11v11- 91m x 47m)
• The Archbishop Lanfranc Academy (one World Rugby compliant 11v11 FTP) - consultation identifies that this site is primarily used for football.
• Harris Academy (one Youth 11v11- 95m x 50m)
  

Whilst the 3G FTPs at Selhurst Sports Arena and Harris Academy are just under full size, for the purposes of the LFFP they are considered to be full size as they accommodate the equivalent number of weekly training sessions as a full sized 3G FTP (100m x 64m).

There are also 4 small-sided 3G FTPs in Croydon:

• Coloma Convent Girls (one 9v9)
• Monks Hill Sports Centre/The Quest Academy (two 7v7)
• Coulsdon College (one 5v5)

The following sites are already being planned without funding from the Football Foundation:

Coombe Wood School - a new school being built on Melville Avenue in the south of the borough includes plans for a full-sized 3G FTP. The extent of the community use programme is undetermined at the point of LFFP report production although options are being explored by the relevant stakeholders. It is being planned without the anticipation of funding being secured from the Football Foundation.

Croydon is also home to a significant number of multi sport artificial grass pitches (AGPs) and multi-use games areas (MUGAs). These are heavily used for recreational football. As noted earlier, the Croydon PPS identifies a shortfall of three full-sized 3G FTPs to service affiliated training demand, however as is noted above, this shortfall was calculated using the former training demand methodology of 1: 42. For the purposes of LFFP development, demand for full-sized 3G FTPs has been calculated applying contemporary FA 3G FTP demand modelling. This identifies that demand for recreational football is higher than that for the affiliated game. Based on the FA's recreational demand assessment there is an assessed current shortfall of 12 (rounded up from 11.65) full-sized 3G FTPs (or equivalents).

The majority of the existing full-sized and small-sided 3G FTPs are available for community football use. The FTP at Selhurst Sports Arena is on the FA Register for 3G FTPs (it has been quality checked and can be used for football match play). It is strongly recommended that the other venues and any future developments (full size and/or small sided) are assessed and placed on the Register to enable more match play on 3G. There are provision gaps across the borough despite high levels and density of population and significant planned regeneration and housing growth. Local consultation confirms the limited availability and opportunity for match play on 3G and the recommendations in this plan are designed to address this.

Eight priority projects for potential investment are identified, comprising five full size (11v11), one 9v9, one 7v7 and eight 5v5 3G FTPs. Whilst these will not wholly meet the identified full-sized 3G FTP shortfall (based on recreational demand) it is recommended that future iterations of the plan address this if and when land/development opportunity becomes available. Croydon Council is participating in the FA's Parklife football hub programme. For this, two sites (Purley Way Playing Fields and Ashburton Playing Fields) have been shortlisted as potential hubs - and are included below. At the time of writing both Parklife sites are under going full feasibility analysis and planning applications have been submitted. It is recommended that other 3G FTP projects are not considered until this feasibility is completed.

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, 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.

There are currently 17 grass pitch sites in Croydon with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three pitches but deemed to be of strategic importance). These contain 75 grass pitches. Of these, five are considered to have good, 11 standard, and one poor quality pitches.

Of these 17, four are prioritised for improvement. This this will positively affect a total of 19 pitches. The two proposed Parklife sites are also been listed for grass pitch maintenance improvements, although not all the grass pitches presently at these sites will require work as the proposed 3G FTPs will replace some existing grass pitches.

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

Four priority projects for potential investment are identified. Pitch quality rating was evidenced by PPS and ratified by local partners. Prioritisation based upon a rationale of selecting sites that are, or have the potential to be, well-utilised and reflect the strategic focus of LB Croydon in terms of growing participation:

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 17 key grass pitch sites in Croydon with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three pitches but deemed to be of strategic importance), 13 have suitable changing rooms and two require improvement/replacement. The two Parklife sites listed will also require new pavilions.

Four 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 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 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 presently require improvement to develop small sided football.

This plan suggests that three MUGAs are required to support the development of small sided football. Proposed sites are located in area with high population density, relatively high proportions of people from lower social economic groups, limited green space and corresponding high local demand for informal football.

Following local consultation, and assisted by the Sport England green spaces mapping tool one location has been identified to support small sided informal football. Here, the proposal is based on a popular park/open green space location with suitable space / areas to increase provision for 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:

• Area Director (London & South East) - StreetGames
• CEO - Kinetic Foundation
• CHEP programme Manager - Croydon Voluntary Action
• Club Representative - Addiscombe Corinthians FC (via survey)
• Club Representative - Gravel Hill FC (via survey)
• Club Representative - Sanderseat FC (via survey)
• Consultant - LB Croydon
• Deputy Chief Executive Officer - Palace for Life Foundation
• Engagement Manager - Football Foundation
• Football Development Manager - Surrey FA
• Programme Manager (Live Well) – LB Croydon
• Project Officer (Active Lifestyles) - LB Croydon
• Secretary - Caterham Pumas FC
• Secretary – Old Coulsdon Colts
• Secretary – Selsdon Juniors FC
• Secretary – Warlingham FC
• Secretary – Whyteleafe FC