Local Football Facility Plan Preston

Preston is in the North West Region.

The current population of the Authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 141,346. This is expected to drop to 140,133 by 2039.

Preston is ranked 18 out of 39 LAs in the region, and 66 out of 326 LAs nationally on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (ONS).

Preston's ethnic composition is primarily white (80.18%). This is lower than the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of Preston’s population represented by the BAME community is 19.82%. This is above the national average (14.6%)

Local authority

Preston Council’s Local Plan (2012-2026) commits it to "improving access to health care, sport and recreation, green spaces, culture, entertainment, and community facility services" and to "creating environments that help to reduce crime, disorder and the fear of crime, especially in the more deprived areas".

Policy 24 in the Central Lancashire Core Strategy has the aim to "ensure that everyone has the opportunity to access good sport, physical activity and recreation facilities by (a) devising robust standards based on quantified needs, accessibility and qualitative factors, through seeking developer contributions; (b) protecting existing sport and recreation facilities unless they are proven to be surplus to requirements; and (c) identifying sites for new facilities where providers have evidence of need".

The Authority Playing Pitch Strategy was finalised in 2018. It is part of a joint strategy for Central Lancashire (Preston, Chorley and South Ribble). The key findings and stated overarching priorities are to reduce grass pitch and 3G shortfalls.

County football association

Preston is covered by the Lancashire County FA. It provides governance for, and development support to, all aspects of local football including coaches, referees, volunteers, clubs and leagues; supporting football for all. The County FA has a designated facilities investment lead officer who works to ensure the right facilities are located in the right locations.

Football Foundation

The Regional Engagement Manager and Regional Technical Project Manager at the Football Foundation work collaboratively with the County FA to provide pre-application support to priority projects for potential investment.

Sport England

Has a network of planning managers who have a statutory role in the planning system to protect playing fields and provide consultation responses to planning applications relating to sporting facilities. They also play a key role in strategic planning for sports facilities, providing advice and support to local authorities to assess need for facilities in their local area.

Professional community club organisations (CCOs)

These offer a variety of programmes and services to support local communities (sporting and non-sporting). The Preston North End Community & Education Trust runs a variety of health, education, engagement, football and sporting activities within the local area.

Local leisure operator

The Council itself and GLL are key leisure operators in Preston. The currently operate the majority of sport sites, including 3G FTPs and grass pitches.

Local consultation

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

• Preston City Council
• GLL
• The University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN)
• Lancashire County Council

In addition, the majority of clubs, leagues and schools were consulted as part of the 2018 PPS. It was not felt necessary to consult with these again, unless supply/demand was known to have significantly changed.

(See Appendix B for full list of LFFP consultees)

Clubs

There are over 91,000 community football teams in England, spread over an expansive network of clubs and leagues. Preston has a total of 282 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 Preston, seven clubs have more than 10 registered teams. The largest of these (based on 2018/19 affiliation data) are:

• Cadley FC - 36 teams
• Ribbleton FC - 34 teams
• UCLAN - 26 teams

Leagues

Eight leagues cater for clubs and teams in Preston. They offer competitive opportunity for many different players, including women and girls, disability, youth and adults. While there are no specific league opportunities for youth girls' or adult disability within Preston, suitable provision is made via the Lancashire FA County Women’s League and the Lancashire FA Ability Counts League. The largest of the local leagues (2018-19) include:

• Mid Lancashire Colts Junior Football League– 218 teams– home and away at U9s and U10s and central venue for U7s and U8s age groups
• Central Lancashire Junior Football League – 220 teams– home and away fixtures at multiple sites for ages U11 up to U16.
• Lancashire Sunday Football League– 71 teams– home and away fixtures for adult male football and youth football at U18s.

The County FA reports significant cross boundary migration to/from Preston due to the locations of teams which play in all the aforementioned leagues. This is due to Preston being central in the County and having neighbouring boroughs with lower population and less football provision (such as Chorley, South Ribble, Fylde and Ribble Valley).

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 Preston there are seven football teams / sessions specifically for people with a disability. It is a priority of the County FA to grow this provision. For talented players the FA runs regional centres and England national squads.

Women and girls

The FA has big ambitions for the female game and aims to double levels of participation by 2020. To achieve this requires a combined effort across four pathways: education, recreation, competition and talent.

Education environments have a huge impact on the first experience of football for young girls. This pathway can offer many opportunities for females of all ages to develop and grow a lifelong interest in football.

FA Wildcats girls football centres provide the first step on the recreational pathway, the programme provides girls aged 5-11 with regular opportunities to play football in a fun and engaging environment. Preston has two FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow this activity.

At 29, Preston’s number of female teams is comparable to local areas of a similar size. The County FA’s priority is to support existing clubs to grow and encourage more clubs to develop playing opportunities for females. The local girls’ league is the West Lancashire Girls' League in which matches are played on a home and away basis. It is expected to grow its provision in future years. The local adult female league is the Lancashire FA County Women's League in which matches are played on a home and away basis. It is expected to grow its provision in future years.

For talented players, the most local FA Regional Talent Club (RTC) is Blackburn Rovers FC which is located in Blackburn-with-Darwen. 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 Manchester City FC and Manchester United FC, as well as the aforementioned Blackburn Rovers FC, which provides player pathway opportunities for gifted and talented female players and a spectator interest for fans.

Small sided football

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

Small-sided teams and leagues are organised and competitive activities; typically with players registered to clubs and affiliated to leagues and their county FAs. Examples include futsal and local small-sided leagues running at venues such as sports halls, 3G FTPs or small-sided 3G centres. Key local providers include:

• Play Football
• Preston Sports Arena (UCLAN)
• Soccer Gods (Ashton High School)

Futsal is an exciting, fast-paced, small sided team game that is widely played across the world. Typically it is played on an indoor surface with hockey-sized goals and a size 4 football with reduced ball bounce. It is the FA’s aim to ensure that futsal is available across the country.

There are currently nine futsal teams in Preston that play in the Youth County Cup Competition at UCLAN's Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre. It is a priority for the County FA to grow futsal for all players.

Recreational football

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

There are currently three FA Just Play centres in Preston. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisation such as Preston North End Community & Education Trust. Walking football and Just Play are County FA priorities for further growth and development. Other local recreational football programmes includes Man vs Fat.

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 Preston is played across various parks in the local authority. Moor Park, Ashton Park, Waverley Park, Frenchwood Park, Conway Park and Haslam Park are key heavily used site locations.

The key strengths of local football in Preston includes the link between local leagues providing a natural pathway through mini soccer and youth football into adult provision and it is recommended that this is sustained and also encouraged to grow further. However, gaps in provision do exist and there are aspects of football provision lower than local authorities of a similar size. This includes youth female football, where there is no local league. It is therefore recommended that the future football development priorities for Preston are:

1. Further developing 3G training and match play facilities
2. Developing multi-sports hubs within key geographical areas
3. Continuing to invest in grass pitch improvements
4. Enhancing flexible space and changing style pavilions
5. Identifying and developing key sites where demand is high

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 Preston. 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 investment priorities are reviewed individually, it is understood that they can be inter-reliant; account is, thus, taken of these potential connections.

3G FTPs are a high quality and indispensable part of modern football facilities; their impact cannot be underestimated. In recent years the industry has seen major innovations and improvements to artificial surfaces (and sports lighting). This has created playing surfaces that replicate a good standard natural turf pitch whilst significantly increasing levels of use (x20). All FTPs must have sports lighting to achieve this.

The high quality, consistent playing surface is the ideal environment to play the game and for young people to learn. With regular maintenance programmes, FTPs can be heavily used all year round with no decline in quality. They almost completely negate annoying fixture cancellations during winter months, helping football to be a key part of a regular physical activity habit.

High capacity levels offer a great opportunity to embrace all formats and engage all participants. A full-sized 3G caters for an average of 1,200 participants per week and is suitable for various location types. That means being fully inclusive to all sections of the community, with a particular focus on under-represented groups such as women and girls, people with a disability, BAME communities and people from lower socio-economic groups.

The way 3G FTPs are used is rapidly changing; current line-marking systems allow for match play across all formats of football (5v5, 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11). This enables significant levels of match-play to be transferred from grass to 3G.

There are currently six full-sized (11 v 11) 3G FTPs in Preston, located at:

• Ashton Community Science College
• Corpus Christi Catholic High School
• Fulwood Academy
• Preston College
• Preston Grasshoppers Rugby Club
• Preston Sports Arena (UCLAN)

There are also five small-sided 3G FTPs across three sites:

• BAC/EE (42 x 20m)
• Playfootball (one 32 x 22m, one 33 x 22m, 42 x 32m)
• West View Leisure Centre (58 x 38m)

In addition, a further small-sided (9v9) 3G FTP is being developed at Christ the King Catholic High School.

All the 3G FTPs are available for community use; however, the pitch at Preston Grasshoppers Rugby Club is primarily used for rugby and has been discounted from a football perspective. Five of the six full size 3G FTPs 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 one remaining (at Corpus Christi Catholic High School) is assessed and placed on the Register to enable more match play on 3G. For this to happen, resurfacing is required.

The 2018 Preston PPS indicates a shortfall of two full size 3G FTPs (discounting the pitch at Preston Grasshoppers Rugby Club). As demand has since grown, it is considered that the shortfall of pitches is now three full size 3G FTPs. This has been calculated using the FA's training ratio model (1:38).

In addition to the shortfall of full size 3G FTPs, three existing 3G FTPs require replacement. These are the full sized 3G FTPs at Corpus Christi Catholic High School and Preston College plus the small-sided pitch at West View Leisure Centre. The pitch at Preston College recently achieved FA accreditation following repair work but quality is deteriorating as the carpet nears the end of its lifespan.

The geographic spread of existing facilities is even across the high demand areas in the City. The recognised shortfalls reflect the fact that most areas of Preston are still under-provided for.

Local consultation confirms common issues in respect of limited availability, poor quality and match play availability on 3G and it is recommended that these are addressed.

Eight priority projects for potential investment are identified. This comprises three new full sized and two small-sided 3G FTP developments plus the resurfacing of two existing full sized and one small-sided 3G FTP.

The full sized and small-sided pitch developments at Preston Sports Arena (UCLAN) may involve conversion of existing sand-based pitches. The small-sided sand-based pitches are not currently used for hockey, whilst it is considered that hockey demand on the full sized sand-based pitch could be transferred onto the remaining sand-based pitch (there are currently two) as spare capacity exists. If this is not possible, the University is willing to develop a new full sized 3G FTP without converting existing sand-based provision.

Similarly, the small-sided pitch project at St Teresa's Catholic Primary School (Callon All Weather Pitch) is a conversion of sand-based provision. As with the small-sided provision at Preston Sports Arena (UCLAN), this is not currently used for hockey.

Playing fields are one of the most important resources for sport in England. All football players should have the opportunity to play on good quality grass pitches. However, FA data shows that 63% of pitches in England are poor / low quality and one in six games is cancelled. As such, poor pitch quality is consistently cited as the number one issue for players.

The priority is, therefore, to sustainably improve grass pitch quality across all main pitch owners (local authorities, education establishments and clubs). However, the level of maintenance required to obtain good quality standards is regularly affected by restricted budgets and limited knowledge/ training. Compaction and grass coverage are two key causes of poor quality pitches. Both are commonly treated via a maintenance driven solution (and do not necessarily require costly drainage schemes).

Playing fields are also a valuable resources for informal play and open-access sites are encouraged but, for many, problems such as dog fouling and vandalism mean that they need to be protected with mitigation measures such as fencing.

The key challenge is to create a sustainable approach to provide good quality football pitches for the long term. Most local authorities (78%) intend to increase pitch hire fees in the future. However, the majority of players (63%) believe facilities are already expensive and some (16%) believe prices are prohibitive. A sustainable solution should, therefore, carefully balance pitch quality and affordability.

While the education sector (37%) and local authorities (32%) are still the principal asset owners of grass pitches, clubs / leagues own or maintain an increasing share (currently 25%). Assets and opportunities have been considered across each sector.

Although large (3+ pitch) strategic sites are important and make up much of the project list within the LFFPs, this does not mean that other club, league and community/voluntary sites are not important or eligible for funding. These sites are key to the Football Foundation's Grass Pitch Programme to deliver 20,000 good quality pitches.

For more information click here.

PitchPower

The PitchPower app is the gateway to any grass pitch improvement funding. It is the tool that will allow clubs and organisations to complete pitch inspections and access funds.

If you haven't signed up and completed a PitchPower pitch inspection, you will need to do this before you can apply for the Grass Pitch Maintenance Fund.

Learn more by clicking here.

There are currently 21 grass pitch sites in Preston with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three pitches but deemed to be of strategic importance). These contain 102 grass pitches. Of these, four are considered to offer good quality pitches, 11 are of standard quality and six are poor quality.

In addition to the 21 grass pitch sites identified above, there are three sites without existing pitches that require investment in order to establish provision.

Local consultation confirms the issues faced in respect of poor grass pitch quality and the need to address this.

Of the 24 pitch sites referenced above (including the sites without existing provision), it was determined that nine of these should be prioritised for improvements. This will result in the establishment of, or quality improvements to, 26 pitches.

Nine priority projects for potential investment are identified. Pitch quality rating was evidenced by PPS and ratified by local partners. Prioritisation was based on a rationale of selecting sites in the poorest condition, that had the most pitches or that were most well utilised (or with the potential to be most well utilised). The strategic focus was to improve local authority and club pitches.

Of the nine projects, six relate to existing pitch sites, whilst three relate to sites without existing provision. There is an aspiration at these sites to install grass pitches in order to reduce local shortfalls and to increase the number of pitches available to large clubs in the locality. The sites are Fishwick Park (Fishwick Bottoms), Millenium Field and South Drive.

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 21 existing key grass pitch sites in Preston with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three but deemed to be of strategic importance), 16 have suitable changing rooms while five require improvement or new provision. Of these, four (Fishwick Recreation Ground, Moor Park, Ribbleton Park and Station Lane) require refurbishment and one (Ashton Park) requires a new build pavilion given that the existing provision has been condemned.

In addition to the 21 key sites identified above, two sites without existing provision mentioned in the grass pitch improvement section also require clubhouse/changing room investment. Fishwick Park is currently without changing provision, whilst South Drive has changing provision but it is of poor quality. Existing provision at Millennium Field is considered to be adequate to support the establishment of pitches.

Seven priority projects for potential investment are, thus, 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 indicates that, at present, no indoor facilities require improvement to develop small sided football. Nevertheless, there is considered to be enough need to a warrant a hub site development for futsal within the Central Lancashire area. Further investigation should therefore take place to understand whether any existing or future sites (such as potential new schools) within Preston may be suitable for this.

One potential opportunity for a MUGA development has been identified. The rationale for this is that the site will service an area of high urban population and a relatively high proportion of people from lower social economic groups, with corresponding high local demand for informal football.

The project is for an outdoor futsal pitch to be created at Ashton Park. The Council is keen to pilot the creation of outdoor futsal pitches in the area and, as such, the impact of this should be explored following the development to understood whether further projects could ensue.

The limited number of MUGA projects is based on Preston City Council being happy with its current stock following recent investment. Existing supply is considered to be well located and good quality. Nevertheless, there may be a need for facility development to the east of the City as the majority of recent investment has been in other areas. Further work to identify the need for this, as well as any potential projects, is required.

No locations have been identified to support small sided informal football in regards to parks and open green spaces.

A range of local agencies and local football clubs were invited to participate in the LFFP consultation. Those that contributed are listed below:

• Area Manager - GLL
• Secretary - Ribbleton FC
• Secretary - Fulwood Amateurs FC
• Secretary - Inclusion FC
• Secretary - Longsand Lynx Community FC
• Head of Sport - UCLAN
• Head - Preston North End Community & Education Trust
• Head of PE - Lancashire County Council
• Planning Officer - Lancashire County Council
• Operations Manager - Active Lancashire
• Principal Leisure Manager - Preston City Council
• Head of Parks - Preston City Council
• Executive Manager - Girl Guides
• Chairman - Windrush Initiatives CIC
• Chairman - Red Rose Sports Club
• Project Manager - Preston United Youth Development Programme
• Futures Manager - Progress Housing Group

In addition, the majority of other clubs, leagues and education providers were consulted as part of the 2018 PPS process; findings from this have informed LFFP development.