Local Football Facility Plan Northampton

Northampton is in the East Midlands Region.

The current population of the Authority (ONS 2018 Mid-Year Estimate) is 225,146. This is expected to rise to 257,079 by 2039.

Northampton is ranked 12 out of 40 LAs in the region, and 108 out of 326 LAs nationally on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (ONS).

The ethnic composition of the Borough is primarily white (84.5%) - just below the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of its population represented by the BAME community is 15.5%. This is slightly above the national average (14.6%).

Local authority

The 2018 Northampton Borough Council Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) was developed as part of an overarching West Northampton Open Space, Sport and Recreation Strategy.

Its key findings were that while most pitches across the West Northampton area are of standard quality, there is a number of poorer quality pitches, all of which are located in parks. A lack of changing provision at park sites as well as a number of key club sites is also identified. Improving pitch quality and providing suitable changing provision at key sites are, thus, key identified priorities.

The PPS also notes that 3G FTP provision in the area is ageing and that there is a need to address issues associated with quality and resurfacing to ensure that existing provision remains suitable to accommodate training demand and match play where required.

It should be noted that , as part of a reorganisation of current Northamptonshire Local Authority boundaries, Northampton Borough Council will be subsumed into a larger West Northamptonshire unitary authority alongside Daventry and South Northamptonshire with a 'go live' date of April 2021. Future versions of the LFFP should therefore reflect the revised Local Authority boundaries.

County football association

Northampton is covered by the Northamptonshire 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 Northampton Town FC Community Trust runs a variety of health, education, engagement, football and sporting activities within the local area.

Local leisure operator

Northampton Leisure Trust (Trilogy) is the key leisure operator in Northampton. It currently runs five leisure centres and manages grass pitch provision across 16 sites.

Local consultation

This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in Northampton. 36 individuals (representing 28 local organisations) were spoken to. The agencies consulted include:

• Free2Talk
• Friends of the Racecourse
• Springs Family Centre
• Big Local Programme (Growing Together)
• Northampton Leisure Trust

(See Appendix B for full list of consultees)

Clubs

There are over 91,000 community football teams in England, spread over an expansive network of clubs and leagues. Northampton has a total of 266 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 ten years there has been a significant national increase in the number of large multi-team football clubs. In Northampton, 13 clubs have more than ten registered teams. These (based upon 2018-19 affiliation data) are:

• Northampton Kingsthorpe Jets – 27 teams
• Northampton Town & Community Trust – 26 teams
• Northampton Delapre Dragons – 20 teams
• Northampton Thorplands Club 81 – 18 teams
• Northampton GLK United - 14 teams
• Northampton Parklands Tigers – 14 teams
• Wootton St George – 13 teams
• Northampton Santos Panthers – 12 teams
• Northampton Welland Valley – 12 teams
• Northampton FFA Escola – 11 teams
• Northampton Gregory Celtic – 11 teams
• Northampton Falcons – 10 teams

Leagues

Six leagues cater for clubs and teams in Northampton providing competitive opportunity for many different players, including mini soccer, youth male, youth female, adult male and adult female. These (2018-19) include:

• Northampton & District Youth Alliance League – 400 teams - home/away
• Northants Senior Youth League – 17 teams – home and away
• Northamptonshire Combination League (step 7) – 63 teams – home and away
• Northamptonshire Sunday Combination veterans – 18 teams – home and away
• Nene Sunday League - 66 teams – home and away
• Northamptonshire Women & Girls League – 81 teams – home and away
  

The County FA reports a small level of cross boundary migration to/from Northampton primarily due to teams migrating outwards to play in Milton Keynes and Bedfordshire.

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 Northampton there are 12 football teams/sessions specifically for people with a disability. It is a priority of the County FA to grow and sustain 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. Northampton has 4 FA Wildcats girls’ football centre and the priority is to grow and sustain this activity.

At eight, Northampton’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 league for girls and women's football is the Macron Northamptonshire Women and Girls Football League in which matches are played on a home and away basis. It is expected to grow and sustain provision in future years.

For talented players, the most local FA Regional Talent Club (RTC) is Leicester City FC. Higher level talent pathway opportunities are also provided regionally and nationally by the FA, culminating in the England Women’s national squads. The most local Women’s Super League teams are Birmingham City (WSL) and/or Leicester City Women (WC) both of which provide player pathway opportunities for gifted and talented female players and a spectator interest for fans.

Small sided football

Many different types of small-sided football are played in England, from teams and leagues to recreational and informal. It is an established and important part of the modern game.

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

• Goals Soccer Centre
• Soccer Sixes
• Some unaffiliated leagues

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.

Currently four Northampton-based futsal teams play - in the National Futsal League and the Northampton Futsal League - at key site locations including Moulton College (Daventry).

It is a priority for the County FA to grow and sustain futsal for male, female, youth and adult players.

Recreational football

Recreational football is played where facilities are typically booked and there might be someone to help organise. Examples include FA Just Play sessions, walking football and casual pitch hire for small-sided match play.

There are currently three FA Just Play centres in Northampton. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisation such as Northampton Town Community Trust, Benham Arena and Northampton Leisure Trust. Walking football and Just Play are County FA priorities for further growth and development. Other local recreational football programmes include the award-winning Northampton Leisure Trust Street Sports programme, along with casual bookings on 3G FTPs and sand-based artificial turf pitches throughout the town.

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 Northampton is played particularly in the central part of the Authority. The Racecourse, Victoria Park, Beckets Park and Abington Park are key, heavily used, site locations.

The key strengths of local football in Northampton include large numbers of affiliated mini soccer, youth and adult football teams playing in sustainable leagues and it is recommended that this is sustained and also encouraged to grow further. However, there are aspects of football provision that are less well developed than is the case in local authorities of a similar size, these include adult male teams and female teams. It is therefore recommended that the future football development priorities for Northampton are:

1. High quality introduction to football – male, female, disability, futsal
2. Develop clubs and leagues – charter standard, safeguarding and respect
3. Embrace all formats, engage all participants
4. Recruit, develop and support the workforce
5. Develop sustainable football facilities

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

In addition, priority projects which progress to funding applications 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 Northampton. It identifies current issues and presents opportunities for improvements, including a list of priority projects for potential investment. Local assets and opportunities have been reviewed in line with four investment priorities:

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

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

While 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.

The majority of the nine full-sized (11 v 11) 3G FTPs in Northampton are all at least ten years old. They are located at:

• Malcolm Arnold Academy (opened 2003)
• University of Northampton (opened 2018)
• Weston Favell Academy (opened 2007)
• Kingsthorpe College (opened 2007)
• Northampton School for Boys opened (2007)
• Northampton Academy (opened 2006)
• Northampton School for Girls (opened 2007, no floodlights)
• Thomas Becket Catholic School (opened 2010)
• The Duston School (opened 2008)

There is also one small-sided 3G FTP centre; Goals Soccer Centre which has 12 FTPs. The Northampton Borough Council 2018 Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) was developed as part of an overarching West Northampton Open Space, Sport and Recreation Strategy. This states that there is no current shortfall in full size 3G provision.

Despite the PPS assessment, work undertaken by Northamptonshire FA suggests that at four of the Amey operated school sites (Weston Favell Academy, Kingsthorpe College, The Duston School, Northampton School for girls), current contractual arrangements would prohibit external investment in carpet replacement - despite the fact that many are due for resurface. Northampton School for Girls also has no floodlights which severely limits community usage and all four sites aren't on The FA's 3G pitch register to host affiliated matchplay. Given these factors, it has been agreed that an additional two full size SG FTPs need to be developed to enable the stock in the Borough to cater for current levels of affiliated training and match play demand.

In addition to this, two 3G FTPs require replacement - those at Malcolm Arnold Academy and the Northampton Academy.

Further to this, there is potential to provide a 3G FTP with priority for blind football. This would have to be built at an appropriate site and to the correct specifications. It is believed, based on County FA research, that there is demand for such a facility in the wider Northamptonshire area - and that Northampton (which is central to the County) is optimally situated to accommodate this.

Five priority projects for potential investment are identified. These include a double full sized 3G FTP proposal at the Racecourse, resurfacing of existing full sized FTPs at the Northampton and Malcolm Arnold academies and development of two small-sided (5v5) floodlit proposals; one at Northampton Town FC and the other at the Far Cotton Recreation Ground.

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 18 grass pitch sites in Northampton with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three pitches but deemed to be of strategic importance). These contain 95 grass pitches. Of these sites, 13 are considered to offer standard quality pitches and five have poor quality pitches.

In addition to the 18 grass pitch sites identified, there are two brand new sites to be developed; in East Hunsbury (where good pitch quality will need to be ensured) and a further new site proposed to be developed by the Northampton Youth District Alliance League (NYDAL)

Local consultation confirms the issue of poor quality faced at certain sites and implementation of the proposals made in this plan will start to address this. Another common theme at grass pitch sites in Northampton is limited parking; this may also need to be considered as a priority area for attention at LFFP targeted sites.

Of the 18 key pitch sites referenced , seven are prioritised in this plan. This will result in quality improvements to 27 pitches:

Seven priority projects for potential investment are identified. Pitch quality rating was evidenced by the PPS and ratified by local partners. Prioritisation was based on a rationale of selecting sites in poor condition, that were (or offered the potential to be) well-utilised reflect the local strategic focus on this aspect of provision.

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 18 key grass pitch sites in Northampton with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three but deemed to be of strategic importance) 14 have suitable changing rooms, one site requires improvement/replacement and three have no facilities and require new changing rooms.

In addition to the 18 key sites identified above, one brand new site to be developed in East Hunsbury. This will also require a new build pavilion.

Six 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 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 inicates one indoor facility that requires improvement to develop small-sided football. This is Northampton Academy where there is potential to provide futsal markings in existing sports hall to create an all round football offer at the site linked to quality improvements to the grass pitch and 3G FTP provision on site.

Four potential opportunities for MUGAs are identified. In each case the rationale is based on the site being in an area of significant urban population, with limited green space and being able to cater for a high proportion of people from lower social economic groups:

1. Victoria Park - this park site is popular for informal football, as well as being used by Northampton Leisure Trust to deliver Street Football programme. The MUGA here is in need of refurbishment, as well as floodlighting to allow for evening play during winter months. There is also an opportunity to develop/support informal 5v5 league play to encourage community integration.
   
2. Spring Boroughs Freedom Life Church - is located in an area of high deprivation. The Freedom Life Church works to support young people with a variety of challenges. There is limited green space/facilities for the young people in the locality and planning permission has been obtained to provide a MUGA in the car park.
   
3. Woodford Street - Free2Talk is keen to utilise this space (if refurbished) to deliver its programmes at a central location. Free2Talk reports limited activity/communal space in this area to operate from. This MUGA will, when developed, be situated in an area of high deprivation where there is considered to be a need for informal facilities.
   
4. Katumb Centre - this offers the potential to provide a MUGA as part of a wider community facilities project.

Following local consultation, no locations in addition to those above 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:

• Big Local Programme (Growing Together) - Programme Coordinator
• Billing United FC - Chairman
• Community Representative
• Delapre, Farcotton & Briar Hill area Councillor
• East Hunsbury area Councillor
• Free2Talk - Director, Youth and Community Worker
• Football Foundation - Regional Lead
• Friends of the Racecourse - Chairman
• Friends of Victoria Park - Chairman
• GLK Utd - Head Coach and Secretary
• Gregory Celtic - Secretary
• Katumb Centre - Project Manager
• Kingsthorpe Jets YFC - Chairman and Secretary
• Northampton Academy - Business Manager
• Northampton Borough Council - Senior Planning Officer, Environmental Services Contract Manager and Planning Policy & Heritage Manager
• Northamptonshire County FA - Football Development Officer and Head of Football Development
• Northampton Leisure Trust - Director of Health & Wellbeing Development Operations, Wellbeing Development Manager and Director
• Northampton School for Boys - Director of Sport
• Northamptonshire Sport - Assistant Director
• Northampton Town FC Community Trust - CEO
• Northampton Town FC - CEO
• Parkland Tigers - Chairman
• Santos Panthers FC - Secretary
• Sport England - Planning Manager
• Springs Family Centre - Development Manager
• The Pastures Community Centre - Community Volunteer, Director & Trustee
• Thomas Becket Catholic School - Finance Director
• Thorplands Club 81 - Secretary and Treasurer
• Welland Valley FC - Chairman