Arrow icon Printer icon PlayFC logo PlayFC logo

Local Football Facility Plan Oldham

Introduction

01

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

  • Oldham Borough Council
  • Oldham Community Leisure Trust
  • Oldham Athletic Community Trust
  • Manchester County FA
  • Football Foundation
  • Sport England

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 Oldham.

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 Oldham.

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 Manchester 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

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

Oldham

02

Local area

Oldham is in the North West region.

The current population of the Authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 233,759, which is expected to rise to 253,800 by 2039.

39.2% of the Oldham population is within NS SEC classification 6-8 (lower socio-economic groups). This figure is higher than the national average (30.6%).

Oldham’s ethnic composition is primarily classed as White (77.5%) which is lower than the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of Oldham’s population represented by the BAME community is 22.5%. This is above the national average (14.6%).

Demographics

  • 233,759 Current population (2017)
  • 253,800 Projected population (2039)
  • 14th most deprived out of 39 local authorities in the region
  • 50th most deprived out of 326 local authorities in England

Ethnicity data

  • Asian (19.19%)
  • Black (1.24%)
  • Mixed (1.8%)
  • Other (0.25%)
  • White (77.51%)
30%
27%
26%

% of people that are inactive

  • Oldham
  • Region
  • England

ONS data and Sport England Active lives survey 2016/17

Local Partners 1.png
Local Partners 2.png

Local partners

Local Authority

Oldham Council’s Sport and Physical Activity Strategy 2013-18 commits the Local Authority to improving the lives of all residents through sport and physical activity and contribute to Oldham becoming a productive place with healthy, aspirational and sustainable communities.

The Local Authority has a Playing Pitch Strategy in place, which was adopted in 2014. Keys findings from the strategy are:

  • There are enough full size 3G pitches (six) to meet current and future demand for football training.
  • Two thirds of grass pitches are rated either standard or poor.
  • There are insufficient adult, youth and mini pitches to meet both current and future demand.

County Football Association

Oldham is predominately covered by Manchester County FA., however, some teams affiliated to either Lancashire or West Riding County Football Association. 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

8 Total grants
  • £3,416,204 Total project cost
  • £2,100,795 Total grant value
  • 5 Sites improved
  • 3 New 3G FTPs
  • 2 Changing rooms / pavilions
  • 19 Grass pitches improved

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). The Oldham Athletic Community Foundation Trust runs a variety of health, education, engagement and sporting activities within the local area.

Local leisure operator

Oldham Community Leisure Trust is the operator of Oldham Council’s leisure facilities. It currently operates five key sites including the 3G FTP football cages at Saddleworth Sports Centre, which comprise of two 5v5 football cages and a 7v7 cage.

Local consultation

This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in Oldham. A total of 17 individuals (representing 12 local organisations) were consulted. These include:

  • Oldham Community Leisure Trust
  • Oldham Athletic Community Trust
  • Oldham College
  • Oldham 6th Form College

(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. Oldham has a total of 452 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 10-years there has been a significant national increase in the number of large multi-team football clubs. In Oldham, 11 clubs have more than 10 registered teams. The largest of these (based upon 2017-18 affiliation data) are:

  • Chadderton Park – 88 teams
  • Heyside – 34 teams
  • Springhead FC- 30 teams
  • Failsworth Dynamos – 27 teams
  • Chadderton FC – 23 teams
  • Uppermill- 21 teams
  • Avro – 19 teams
  • Failsworth Villa – 14 teams
  • 3D Dynamos – 13 teams

Affiliated Teams

452 Teams
  • 115 Adult male teams
  • 3 Adult female teams
  • 167 Youth male teams
  • 23 Youth female teams
  • 13 Disability teams
  • 124 Mini-soccer teams

The FA Whole Game System- season 2017/18

Leagues

Seven leagues operate in Oldham They offer competitive opportunities for many different players, including women and girls, and youth and adults. While there are no specific league opportunities for people with disabilities within Oldham there is, however, suitable provision provided in Salford.

Oldham’s largest local leagues (2017-18) include

  • Manchester Youth & Mini Soccer League – 89 teams–[central venue]
  • North Manchester Girls League– 79 teams–[central venue at multiple sites]
  • Manchester Junior Sunday League – 20 teams–[central venue]

The County FA reports that there is some cross boundary migration in Oldham due to teams migrating inwards to the North Manchester Girls League, and outwards towards Tameside and EMJFL which straddles Tameside and Manchester.

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 Oldham there are 13 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.

313364.JPG
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. Oldham has five FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow this activity.

At 26, Oldham’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 North Manchester Girls League and matches are played on a central venue and home and away basis. The league is expected to grow its provision in future years. The local adult female league is the Greater Manchester Women’s League and matches are played on a home and away basis and the league is expected to grow its provision in future years.

For talented players, the most local FA Regional Talent Club (RTC) is Manchester City which is located in Manchester. 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

Small-sidedteams & 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 smallsided 3G centres.

Key local providers include

  • Oldham Athletic Community Trust
  • Oldham Community Leisure
  • Oldham Futsal Arena

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 are currently 7 futsal teams in Oldham that play in the Futsal 3’s League at key site locations including Oldham Futsal Arena. It is a priority for the County FA to grow Futsal for male, female, youth and adult players .

Small sided 1.JPG
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 are currently two FA Just Play Centres in Oldham. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisation such as Oldham Athletic Community Trust. Walking football and Just Play are areas that the County FA has prioritised for further growth and development. Other local recreational football programmes include casual bookings which are delivered by a range of organisations including Oldham Futsal Arena and Ghazali Trust.

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 Oldham is played particularly in the north , south and west of the Borough. West End Street, Honeywell Centre and Clayton Playing Fields are key site locations that are heavily used.

Summary

The key strengths of local football in Oldham include Disability and Women & Girls provision and it is recommend that this is sustained and also encouraged to grow further. However, there are aspects of football provision that lower than local authorities of a similar size, these include Male adult participation.

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

  1. Continued growth of Women & Girls
  2. Continued growth for Disability
  3. Sustainability of Adult male 11v11
  4. Growth of Adult male flexible provision

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 Oldham. 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:

  • 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 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 ten 3G FTPs in Oldham. Current affiliation data suggests there are 452 teams in Oldham, resulting in a need for 11 3G FTPs. There is, therefore a shortfall of one full size 3G FTP.

Existing 3G FTPs in Oldham include:

  • Chapel Road
  • Failsworth School
  • Oldham Academy North

There is one small-sided 3G FTP centre in Oldham:

  • Saddleworth Sports Centre

Additionally there are two 60 x 40m pitches in Oldham. These are:

  • Grange Pitch (Westend Street )
  • Waterhead Academy

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

  • Former Breezehill School (Oasis Academy Trust) – a new school proposal that will provide a new 3G FTP that could potentially support teams in the
    east of the Authority.
  • New Saddleworth School – the school is to be relocated to a new site within the area, with a new 3G FTP (9v9 3G FTP) to be provided as part of the
    redevelopment. This could support both Uppermill and Diggle football clubs.

With the development of these two pitches, it was felt that this will address the one pitch shortfall identified above.

Consultation indicates nine of the ten pitches are available for community use, with Radcliffe School being the only pitch not community available. In addition, North Chadderton school does not offer weekend use it its pitch despite high demand from Chadderton Park FC. It is recommended that opportunities are explored at both sites to ensure they are fully accessible to the community. Seven of the pitches are on the FA Register for 3G FTPs (meaning they are quality checked and can be used for football match play). It is strongly recommended that the three remaining pitches are placed on the register to enable more match play on 3G. The geographical spread of existing facilities is uneven with the majority located in the west of the authority and limited provision in the East

Local consultation reveals common issues with high pricing for pitch hire at certain schools, and also limited access to facilities. In addition, a number of organisations are keen to see Chapel Road pitch upgraded to support both daytime and evening use. The pitch is currently in a poor condition. Springhead FC are also in discussion with the Local Authority about taking on a lease of their home ground (St John Street) to upgrade facilities at the site.

10 Current 3G FTPs
0 more 3G FTPs required
0 More small-sided 3G FTPs required

Priority projects

Five priority projects for potential investment have been identified. Given that demand is currently met by the supply of pitches, the focus for investment is to ensure that the older 3G FTP stock is maintained to a high standard and refurbished as appropriate. Each site was selected by local partners based on their current condition and need for investment.

1- Chapel Road- Refurbishment of existing 11v11 FTP

  • Existing facilities: 11v11 FTP
  • Current users: Pitch in poor condition, currently no users.
  • Rationale: Poor quality pitch. Floodlights reported to be not working. Investment will support junior, women and girls and senior football and
    informal football.

2- Radclyffe School- Refurbishment of existing 11v11 FTP

  • Existing facilities : 11v11 FTP
  • Current users: School use only
  • Rationale: club and school consultation indicates this pitch is in poor quality, with investment required. School would consider opening pitch for
    community use, if pitch was invested in. Investment will support junior and disability football.

3- Royton and Crompton School- Refurbishment of existing 11v11 FTP

  • Existing facilities : 11v11 FTP
  • Current users: n/a
  • Rationale: Current pitch is of poor quality and currently not used. There are plans to redevelop the school, with the existing pitch being relocated..
    Investment will support junior football senior football, women and girls football.

4- Hathershaw School- Refurbishment of existing 11v11 FTP

  • Existing facilities : 11v11 FTP
  • Current users: School use and several community groups
  • Rationale: Poor quality pitch reported at school. Investment will support junior football senior football, women and girls football.

5- Grange Pitch (Westend Street)- Refurbishment of existing 7v7 FTP

  • Existing facilities : 7v7 FTP
  • Current users: Currently disused
  • Rationale : Poor quality pitch, currently disused. Site currently being opened to the market to be leased by the Local Authority. Investment will
    support: junior and senior football, women and girls football and recreational football.

Current and proposed 3G pitches

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 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.

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 11 grass pitch sites in Oldham with three or more full-size pitch equivalents containing 44 grass pitches. Of these, seven are considered to have good quality pitches; four are poor quality.

In addition, there are four sites of less than three pitch equivalents which are deemed to be strategically important and identified as requiring investment.

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

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

Priority projects

Seven priority projects for potential investment have been identified. Pitch quality ratings were evidenced by FA data and qualified by local clubs and steering group members.

The priority projects were identified by local partners with the rationale of selecting sites in the poorest condition with a strategic focus to increase football participation.

4- Hathershaw School - Works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: Two full size pitch equivalents. School changing provision.
  • Current users: n/a
  • Rationale: Poor quality grass pitches. Potential to become a hub site along side its 3G FTP. Investment will support junior and senior football.

5- Clayton Playing Fields- Works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: Six full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Chaddy End Old Boys FC, West End Blues FC, Oldham Rangers, FC Lowerhouse
  • Rationale: Poor quality pitches particularly to support adult football. Investment will support junior, senior and over 50s football.

7- New Barn Playing fields - Works to natural grass pitches. Changing pavilion.

  • Existing facilities: Three full size pitch equivalents
  • Current users: High Crompton Park FC
  • Rationale: Poor quality grass pitches. Investment will support junior football.

8- Foxdenton Park - Works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: Two full size pitch equivalents. Changing provision.
  • Current users: n/a
  • Rationale: Poor quality grass pitches to support community football. Site currently disused. Investment will support junior football.

9- George Street Playing Fields - Works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: Two full size pitch equivalents. Changing provision.
  • Current users: n/a
  • Rationale: Poor quality grass pitches. Investment will support junior and senior football.

10- Oldham Edge- Works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: Four full size pitch equivalents.
  • Current users: n/a
  • Rationale: poor quality grass pitches. Investment will support junior and senior football.

11- Snipe Clough- Works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: Three full size pitch equivalents. Changing provision.
  • Current users: Glodwick Dynamos FC, Springhead Liberal Club FC, Oldham College intra mural teams
  • Rationale: Poor quality grass pitches. Investment will support junior and senior football.

14- Heyside Park- Works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: Two full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Heyside Blues FC
  • Rationale: Changing room condemned. Investment will support junior and senior football.

Strategic grass pitch sites plus those identified for investment

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 14 key sites in Oldham, seven have existing facilities that need improvement/ replacement and three have no facilities and require a new changing pavilion.

4 key sites have suitable changing rooms/pavillions/clubhouses
7 require improvement / replacement
3 have no facilities and require new builds

Priority projects

10 priority projects for potential investment have therefore been identified. Each project has three or more full-size pitch equivalent or identified as a priority site for football development and has either no facilities or was assessed against a standard criteria to have an unsuitable pavilion.

6- Clayton Playing Fields- Changing pavilion upgrade

  • Existing facilities: Six full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Chaddy End Old Boys FC, West End Blues FC, Oldham Rangers FC, FC Lowerhouse
  • Rationale: limitedchanging provision particularly to support adult football. Investment will support junior, senior and over 50s football.

7- New Barn Playing fields - Changing pavilion upgrade

  • Existing facilities: Three full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: High Crompton Park FC
  • Rationale: Poor quality changing provision (currently unavailable). Investment will support junior football.

8- Foxdenton Park – New changing pavilion

  • Existing facilities: Two full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: n/a
  • Rationale: Changing rooms currently condemned. New build required at a location nearer to the pitches. . Site currently disused. Investment will support junior football.

9- George Street Playing Fields- Changing pavilion upgrade

  • Existing facilities: Six full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: n/a
  • Rationale: Poor quality changing provision particularly to support adult football. Expansion required. Investment will support junior, and senior football.

10- Oldham Edge- New changing pavilion

  • Existing facilities: Four full size pitch equivalents.
  • Current users: n/a
  • Rationale: No changing provision to support football at the site. Investment will support junior and senior footbal

11- Snipe Clough - Changing pavilion upgrade

  • Existing facilities: three full size pitch equivalents. changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Glodwick Dynamos FC, Springhead Liberal Club FC, Oldham College intra mural teams.
  • Rationale: changing rooms condemned, and require significant investment. Investment will support senior football and Oldham College’s intra college league.

12- Churchill Playing Fields- Changing pavilion upgrade

  • Existing facilities: four full size pitch equivalents.Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Uppermill FC and Diggle FC
  • Rationale: poor quality changing provision to support community football and limited recreational provision.Investment will support junior, senior football and informal football.

14- Heyside Park- Changing pavilion upgrade

  • Existing facilities: Two full size pitch equivalents. Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Heyside Blues FC
  • Rationale: Changing room condemned. Investment will support junior and senior football.

15- North Chadderton School:- New changing pavilion

  • Existing facilities: 11v11 FTP, three full size pitch equivalents. School changing facilities.
  • Current users: Chadderton Park FC
  • Rationale: School will not allow access to 3G FTP at weekends due to security issues at the site. Separate changing pavilion will address access issues. Investment will support junior and senior football.

26- Crossley Playing Fields - Changing pavilion upgrade

  • Existing facilities: Four full size pitch equivalents.Changing pavilion.
  • Current users: Chadderton Park SportsClub FC
  • Rationale: limited changing room capacity to support community football at the site. Changing rooms to be expanded to support community football. Investment will support junior and senior football.

Current changing room provision and ones identified for investment

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
9 MUGAs
0 Better parks / open green spaces

Indoor

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

16- Saddleworth Sports Centre - Indoor sports barn

  • Existing facilities: Floodlit 7v7 FTP
  • Current users: Uppermill FC, Diggle FC, recreational use.
  • Rationale: Limited opportunities for indoor football in the east. New indoor facility will support junior, women's and girls, senior and recreational
    football.

17- Oldham College Sports Centre - Upgrade of sports centre

  • Existing facilities: Indoor sports hall, marketed as a futsal centre.
  • Current users: A number of junior clubs, recreational use.
  • Rationale: Poor quality sports hall, which has great potential to become a dedicated futsal centre. Site to be expanded to support seating so to host
    competitions. Investment will support junior, senior and recreational football.

Indoor sites identified for investment

Pitchfinder

Multi-use Games Areas (MUGAs)

Nine potential opportunities for MUGA’s have been identified. In each case the rationale is based on the site being in an area of high urban population , limited green space , high levels of deprivation, high levels of lower social economic groups and corresponding high local demand for informal football:

12- Churchill Playing Fields - New MUGA.

  • Existing facilities: Four full size pitch equivalents.
  • Current users: Uppermill FC
  • Rationale: Lack of artificial turf in the area. Investment will support junior, senior football and informal football.

18- Blackthorn Road Community Centre - Refurbishment of existing MUGA

  • Existing facilities: Floodlit 5v5 FTP
  • Current users: Oldham Athletic FC community, recreational users.
  • Rationale : Poor quality small sided provision, heavily used for recreational purposes. Investment will support junior football and informal football.

19- Chadderton Hall Park: - Refurbishment of existing MUGA

  • Existing facilities: MUGA
  • Current users: Recreational use
  • Rationale : Poor quality MUGA, which can be upgraded to a small sided football provision. Investment will support junior football and informal
    football.

20- Honeywell Community Centre/Medlock Valley Recreational Centre - Refurbishment of existing MUGA

  • Existing facilities: Floodlit 5v5 FTP
  • Current users: Oldham Athletic FC community, recreational users.
  • Rationale – Poor quality small sided provision, heavily used for recreational purposes. Investment will support junior football and informal football.

21- Tudor Street - Refurbishment of existing MUGA

  • Existing facilities: MUGA
  • Current users: Recreational users.
  • Rationale – poor quality MUGA, with ASB reported in the area. Investment will support recreational football.

22- Bolton Street - Refurbishment of existing MUGA

  • Existing facilities: MUGA
  • Current users: Recreational users.
  • Rationale : Poor quality MUGA, with high demand for informal football in the area. Potential to upgrade to support cricket too. Investment will
    support recreational football.

23- Wildmoore Avenue, (Holts estate) - Refurbishment of existing MUGA

  • Existing facilities: MUGA
  • Current users: Recreational users.
  • Rationale : Poor quality MUGA, with high demand for informal football in the area. Investment will support recreational football.

24- Stoneleigh Park - Refurbishment of existing MUGA

  • Existing facilities: MUGA
  • Current users: Recreational users.
  • Rationale : Poor quality MUGA, with high demand for informal football in the area. Potential to upgrade to support cricket too. Investment will
    support recreational football.

25- Werneth Park : Refurbishment of existing MUGA

  • Existing facilities: MUGA
  • Current users: Recreational users.
  • Rationale: Poor quality MUGA, with high demand for informal football in the area. Potential to upgrade to support cricket too. Investment will
    support recreational football.

Recreational sites identified for investment

Pitchfinder

Parks and open green spaces

Following local consultation, no locations have been identified to support small-sided informal football.

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.

1

1. Chapel Road

Location

CHAPEL ROAD SYNTHETIC PITCH 217 MANCHESTER ROAD, OLDHAM, , OL8 4QY

Facilities
  • Refurbish existing 11v11 3G FTP (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Very High (4/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

83% (10.0/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; BAME; Disability; IMD / lower social economic groups; Mini-soccer; Pro-club; Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues; Youth female; Youth male

2

2. Radclyffe School

Location

THE RADCLYFFE SCHOOL HUNT LANE, CHADDERTON, OLDHAM, , OL9 0LS

Facilities
  • Refurbish existing 11v11 3G FTP (1)
Owner

Education

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

75% (9.0/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; Mini-soccer; Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational; Youth female; Youth male

3

3. Royton and Crompton School

Location

ROYTON AND CROMPTON SCHOOL Blackshaw Lane, Royton, Oldham, , OL2 6NT

Facilities
  • Refurbish existing 11v11 3G FTP (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

75% (9.0/12)

Project Focus

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

4

4. Hathershaw School

Location

THE HATHERSHAW COLLEGE BELLFIELD AVENUE, OLDHAM, , OL8 3EP

Facilities
  • Refurbish existing 11v11 3G FTP (1)
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (2)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

75% (9.0/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; BAME; Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational; Youth female; Youth male

9

9. George Street Playing Fields

Location

GEORGE STREET PLAYING FIELDS George Street, Shaw, Oldham, , OL2 8HG

Facilities
  • Refurbish Changing Pavilion (1)
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (2)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

75% (9.0/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; Youth female; Youth male

10

10. Oldham Edge

Location

OLDHAM EDGE Henshaw Street, Oldham, , OL1 3EN

Facilities
  • New Changing Pavilion (1)
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (4)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

75% (9.0/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; Youth female; Youth male

16

16. Saddleworth Sports Centre

Location

SADDLEWORTH POOL AND LEISURE CENTRE MERLEWOOD AVENUE, UPPERMILL, OLDHAM, , OL3 6HG

Facilities
  • New Indoor Football Facility (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

75% (9.0/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; BAME; Disability; IMD / lower social economic groups; Mini-soccer; Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues; Youth female; Youth male

17

17. Oldham College

Location

OLDHAM COLLEGE ROCHDALE ROAD, OLDHAM, , OL9 6AA

Facilities
  • Refurbish Indoor Football Facility (1)
Owner

Education

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

75% (9.0/12)

6

6. Clayton Playing Fields

Location

CLAYTON PLAYING FIELDS Broadway, Royton, Oldham, , OL2 5DF

Facilities
  • Refurbish Changing Pavilion (1)
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (6)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.9/4

Overall score

73% (8.8/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; Youth female; Youth male

7

7. New Barn Playing Fields

Location

NEW BARN Annersley Avenue, Shaw, Oldham, , OL2 7HA

Facilities
  • Refurbish Changing Pavilion (1)
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (3)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.9/4

Overall score

73% (8.8/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; Youth male

11

11. Snipe Clough

Location

SNIPE CLOUGH ASHVILLE COURT, OLDHAM, , OL8 2AS

Facilities
  • Refurbish Changing Pavilion (1)
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (3)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.9/4

Overall score

73% (8.8/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; Youth female; Youth male

14

14. Heyside Park

Location

HEYSIDE PARK Blackshaw Lane, Royton, Oldham, , OL2 6NT

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (2)
  • Refurbish Changing Pavilion (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.4/4

Overall score

66% (7.9/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; Youth female; Youth male

8

8. Foxdenton Park

Location

FOXDENTON PARK FOXDENTON PARK FOXDENTON LANE, CHADDERTON, , OL9 9QS

Facilities
  • Refurbish Changing Pavilion (1)
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (2)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.9/4

Overall score

65% (7.8/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; Youth female; Youth male

15

15. North Chadderton School

Location

NORTH CHADDERTON SCHOOL CHADDERTON HALL ROAD, CHADDERTON, OLDHAM, , OL9 0BN

Facilities
  • New Changing Pavilion (1)
Owner

Education

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.9/4

Overall score

65% (7.8/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; Youth female; Youth male

5

5. Grange Pitch (Westend Street)

Location

OLDHAM COLLEGE ROCHDALE ROAD, OLDHAM, , OL9 6AA

Facilities
  • Refurbish existing 7v7 3G FTP (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.6/4

Overall score

59% (7.1/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; Youth female; Youth male

12

12. Churchill Playing Fields

Location

CHURCHILL PLAYING FIELDS Wellington Road, Greenfield, Oldham, , OL3 7AQ

Facilities
  • Small sided informal (MUGA) (1)
  • Refurbish Changing Pavilion (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.4/4

Overall score

57% (6.9/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; Youth female; Youth male

18

18. Blackthorn Road Community Centre

Location

Location details: Blackthorn Road Community Centre

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

Other

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.4/4

Overall score

56% (6.7/12)

Project Focus

BAME; Disability; IMD / lower social economic groups; Mini-soccer; Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational; Small-sided teams and leagues

19

19. Chadderton Hall Park

Location

CHADDERTON HALL PARK CHADDERTON HALL ROAD, CHADDERTON, OLDHAM, , OL9 0QP

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.4/4

Overall score

56% (6.7/12)

Project Focus

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

20

20. Honeywell Community Centre/Medlock Valley Recreational Centre

Location

Location details: Honeywell Community Centre/Medlock Valley Recreational Centre

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

Other

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.4/4

Overall score

56% (6.7/12)

21

21. Tudor Street Estate

Location

Location details: Tudor Street

Facilities
  • Small sided informal (MUGA) (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; Mini-soccer; Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational

22

22. Bolton Street

Location

Location details: Bolton Street

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.4/4

Overall score

56% (6.7/12)

23

23. Wildmoore Avenue, (Holts Estate)

Location

Location details: Wildmoore Avenue, (Holts Estate)

Facilities
  • Small sided informal (MUGA) (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; Small-sided recreational

24

24. Stoneleigh Park

Location

Location details: Stoneleigh Park

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.4/4

Overall score

56% (6.7/12)

25

25. Werneth Park

Location

WERNETH PARK FREDERICK STREET, OLDHAM, , OL8 1RB

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

Education

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.4/4

Overall score

56% (6.7/12)

26

26. Crossley Playing Fields

Location

CROSSLEY PLAYING FIELDS HALBURY GARDENS, CHADDERTON, OLDHAM, , OL9 9EE

Facilities
  • Refurbish Changing Pavilion (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.4/4

Overall score

56% (6.7/12)

Project Focus

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

  • Head of Public Health, Youth and Leisure: Oldham Council
  • Planning Officer: Oldham Council
  • Environmental Management: Oldham Council
  • Head of Sport Development Oldham Council
  • District Co-ordinator: Oldham Council
  • Facilities Manager: Oldham Community Leisure
  • Vice Chancellor: Oldham College
  • Community Development Manager: Oldham Athletic FC
  • Head of Sport: Oldham Sixth Form College
  • Head of Community: Voluntary Action Oldham
  • Facility Manager: Greenhill Sports Club
  • League Chairman: Manchester and District Mini soccer League
  • League Chairman: Tameisde League
  • Club chairman: Uppermill FC
  • Club chairman: Chadderton Park Juniors
  • Club chairman: Heyside Juniors • Doorstep Sport Regional Manager: Streetgames

Share the full Oldham plan