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Introduction

01

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

  • Staffordshire Moorlands District Council
  • Staffordshire FA
  • Football Foundation

What is the goal?

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

Who is behind this?

The Football Association, the Premier League and Sport England (on behalf of Government). This partnership finances the National Football Facility Strategy (NFFS) and commissions the Football Foundation to deliver it.

What is the purpose of this plan?

The national funding partners have significantly increased investment to accelerate efforts to deliver more and better football facilities for the grassroots game. The purpose of this plan is to identify the priority projects for potential investment in Staffordshire Moorlands.

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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 Staffordshire Moorlands.

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 Staffordshire County FA and the Football Foundation.

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

How should this plan NOT be used?

A LFFP is an investment portfolio of priority projects for potential investment - it is not a detailed demand and supply analysis of all pitch provision in a local area. It cannot be used as a replacement for a Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) and it will not be accepted as an evidence base for site change of use or disposal.

A LFFP will however build on available/existing local evidence and strategic plans and may adopt relevant actions from a PPS and/or complement these with additional investment priorities.

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Staffordshire Moorlands

02

Local area

Staffordshire Moorlands is located in the West Midlands region. The current population of the Authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 98,496. This is expected to rise to 100,402 by 2039.

31.4% of the Staffordshire Moorlands population is within NS SEC classification 6-8 (lower socio-economic groups). This is comparable to the national average (30.6%).

Staffordshire Moorland’s ethnic composition is primarily White (98.7%) and this is higher than the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of Staffordshire Moorland's population represented by the BAME community is 1.3%. This is below the national average (14.6%).

Staffordshire Moorland's is located between the City of Stoke-on-Trent and the Peak District National Park. It is made up of three main towns; Leek, Cheadle and Biddulph, and is home to the UK's largest and number one theme park, Alton Towers.

Demographics

  • 98,496 Current population (2017)
  • 100,402 Projected population (2039)
  • 22nd most deprived out of 30 local authorities in the region
  • 204th most deprived out of 326 local authorities in England

Ethnicity data

  • Asian (0.52%)
  • Black (0.12%)
  • Mixed (0.62%)
  • Other (0.06%)
  • White (98.68%)
24%
30%
26%

% of people that are inactive

  • Staffordshire Moorlands
  • Region
  • England

*ONS data and Sport England Active Lives Survey 2016/17

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Local partners

Local Authority

Staffordshire Moorlands Council is currently preparing a new Local Plan that will commit it to various health and wellbeing and sport and recreation outcomes.

The local authority has a Playing Pitch Strategy in place; this was adopted in 2017. The key findings include an overall shortfall of grass football pitches and a shortfall of one full size 3G FTP, although it notes the role of both sand-based and small-sided FTPs in accommodating football training demand due to the rural nature of the area. The overarching priorities are to protect the existing quantity of pitches, improve pitches assessed as poor quality and/or overplayed and to improve ancillary facilities where it is appropriate.

Staffordshire Moorland's open space strategy concludes that there is sufficient provision of parks and green space within the District and that focus should be on improving quality.

County Football Association

Staffordshire Moorlands is covered by Staffordshire County FA which provides 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

4 Total grants
  • £2,080,038 Total project cost
  • £1,148,461 Total grant value
  • 4 Sites improved
  • 2 New 3G FTPs
  • 3 Changing rooms / pavilions
  • 4 Grass pitches improved

*See Football Foundation website for more information: http://www.footballfoundation.org.uk/impact/where-our-money-goes

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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). There is no active CCO in Staffordshire Moorlands.

Local leisure operator

Parkwood Leisure currently operates Staffordshire Moorlands' leisure centres at Biddulph Valley LC, Brough Park LC and South Moorlands LC.

Local consultation

This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in Staffordshire Moorlands. Nine individuals (representing nine local organisations) were consulted. These include:

  • Leek & District League
  • Biddulph Town Council
  • Cheadle Town Council
  • Leek Town Council
  • Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent (SASSOT)

(See Appendix B for full list of consultees)

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Local football

Clubs

There are over 91,000 community football teams in England, spread over an expansive network of clubs and leagues. Staffordshire Moorlands has a total of 110 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 Staffordshire Moorlands, three clubs have more than 10 registered teams. The largest of these (based upon 2017-18 affiliation data) are:

  • Blythe Bridge FC - 10 teams
  • Cheadle S.M.U Youth FC - 16 teams
  • Leek Town FC - 30 teams

Affiliated Teams

110 Teams
  • 34 Adult male teams
  • 1 Adult female teams
  • 36 Youth male teams
  • 6 Youth female teams
  • 2 Disability teams
  • 31 Mini-soccer teams

*The FA Whole Game System - Season 2017/18

Leagues

Seven leagues operate in Staffordshire Moorlands. They offer competitive opportunities for many different players, including women and girls, youth and adults. While there are no specific league opportunities for disability within Staffordshire Moorlands, there is however suitable provision provided in neighbouring Stoke-on-Trent and East Staffordshire.

Staffordshire Moorland's largest local leagues (2017-18) include:

  • Coors Sunday League
  • Leek & District Sunday League
  • North Staffs Junior Youth League
  • Potteries Junior Youth League
  • Potteries & District Sunday League
  • Staffordshire County Senior League
  • Staffordshire Girls & Ladies League

The County FA reports that there is significant cross boundary migration in Staffordshire Moorlands due to teams migrating outwards to the Stoke on Trent area.

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

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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. Staffordshire Moorlands has one FA Wildcats girls football centre and the priority is to grow this activity.

At seven, Staffordshire Moorland’s number of female teams is comparable to local areas of a similar size. The local girls league is the Staffordshire Girls & Ladies League and matches are played on a home and away and central venue basis. The league is expected to grow its provision in future years. The local adult female league is the Staffordshire Girls & Ladies 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 Stoke City Girls FC which is located in Stoke on Trent. 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 are Birmingham City, Manchester City, Everton and Liverpool football clubs who provide player pathway opportunities for gifted and talented female players and a spectator interest for fans.

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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.

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

Key local providers include:

  • 5aside (Leek High School)
  • Leisure Leagues (South Moorlands Leisure Centre)
  • Brough Park Leisure Centre

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 no futsal teams in Staffordshire Moorlands that play. It is a priority for the County FA to grow futsal for male, female, youth and adult players.

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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 Staffordshire Moorlands. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisation such as Cheadle South Moorlands FC. Walking football and Just Play are areas that the County FA has prioritised for further growth and development.

Informal football

Informal football is played in local parks and green spaces – it is free, open access and often played spontaneously (normal clothing is worn). Common examples include a kick-about at a local park or on a multi-use games area (MUGA).

Currently, informal football in Staffordshire Moorlands is played across the District. South Moorlands Leisure Centre, Leek High School and Biddulph High School are key site locations that are heavily used.

Summary

The key strengths of local football in Staffordshire Moorlands include youth and adult male and mini-soccer provision and it is recommend that this is sustained and also encouraged to grow further. However, gaps in provision do exist, these include girls and women’s, disability and futsal activity.

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

  1. Grow girls and women’s football
  2. Grow disability football
  3. Futsal development
  4. Sustain male participation (youth, adult and mini-soccer)
  5. Increase recreational opportunities including Just Play

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 Staffordshire Moorlands. It identifies current issues and presents opportunities for improvements, including a list of priority projects for potential investment.

Local assets and opportunities have been reviewed inline with four investment priorities:

  1. 3G FTPs
  2. Improved grass pitches
  3. Changing room pavilions / clubhouses
  4. Small-sided facilities

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

While each investment priority is reviewed individually, it is understood that they can be inter-reliant; account is, thus, taken of these potential connections.

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3G Football Turf Pitches (FTPs)

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Improved Grass Pitches

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Changing room pavilions / clubhouses

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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.

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Assets and opportunities

FA data states that there are currently no 3G FTPs in Staffordshire Moorlands; this is a shortfall of one pitch relative to assessed demand.

Notwithstanding the above, given the rural nature of Staffordshire Moorlands, only Leek has enough demand currently to warrant the creation of a full size 3G FTP. Cheadle and Biddulph do not supply enough demand and therefore preference should be on the creation of smaller sized facilities.

There are currently no small-sided 3G FTP centres in Staffordshire Moorlands. However, there are six smaller sized 3G FTPs in the District of various sizes and an additional small-sided 3G pitch is to be provided in Cheadle at a new primary school as part of a development at Ayr Road.

The geographical spread of existing facilities is uneven; with no full size 3G FTPs provided. All of the smaller sized 3G pitches are located in Cheadle and in rural areas, leaving gaps in Biddulph and Leek. It is recommended that this is addressed.

Local consultation reveals common issues with long travel distances and a lack of match play on 3G and it is recommended that these are addressed.

0 Current 3G FTPs
1 More 3G FTPs required
4 More small-sided 3G FTPs required

Priority projects

Five priority projects for potential investment have been identified. Undersupply was calculated using the FA 3G FTP demand and supply model. Each site was selected by local partners based on a rationale of good access, high population, geographical spread, success and quality of existing facilities:

1 - Harrison Park (Leek Town FC): new 11v11 floodlit 3G FTP

  • Existing facilities: one adult pitch and changing rooms
  • Current users: three teams from Leek Town FC
  • Rationale: a 11v11 3G FTP is required in Leek. Investment will support adult male, adult female, disability, mini-soccer, small-sided recreational, small-sided teams and leagues, youth female and youth male participation

2 - Brough Park Leisure Centre or Churnet View Middle School: new 7v7 floodlit 3G FTP

  • Existing facilities: one AGP and changing rooms at Brough Park Leisure Centre; one youth pitch and changing rooms at Churnet View Middle School
  • Current users: recreational football at Brough Park Leisure Centre; two teams at Churnet View Middle School
  • Rationale: a smaller size 3G FTP is required in Leek to accommodate demand that the 11v11 3G FTP cannot. Investment will support mini-soccer, small-sided recreational, small-sided teams and leagues, youth female and youth male participation

3 - Moorside High School: new 7v7 floodlit 3G FTP (sand-based conversion (60x40))

  • Existing facilities: two adult, one youth pitch, one AGP and changing rooms
  • Current users: training and recreational demand
  • Rationale: a smaller size 3G FTP is required in rural areas. Investment will support adult male, adult female, small-sided recreational, small-sided teams and leagues, youth female and youth male participation

4 - Cheadle Academy: new 7v7 floodlit 3G FTP

  • Existing facilities: two adult pitches and changing rooms
  • Current users: none
  • Rationale: another smaller size 3G FTP could be required in Cheadle subject to demand following the development at Ayr Road. Investment will support mini-soccer, small-sided recreational, small-sided teams and leagues, youth female and youth male participation

5 - Biddulph High School: refurbishment of existing 9v9 floodlit 3G FTP

  • Existing facilities: three adult pitches, one 9v9 FTP and changing rooms
  • Current users: five teams from four clubs
  • Rationale: currently poor quality, so refurbishment will enable current usage to be sustained and grown; alternatively, a larger red-gra area at the School could be converted. Investment will support small-sided recreational, small-sided teams and leagues, youth female and youth male participation

In addition, Werrington Young Offenders has expressed an interest in developing a 11v11 floodlit 3G FTP. It is unclear what level of community use will be allowed should this development go ahead and therefore whether the Football Foundation or funding partners will be supportive.

Should enough future demand exist to warrant the creation of additional full size 3G pitch, preference is for Birchall Playing Fields to be considered.

Pitchfinder

Improved Grass Pitches

05

Playing fields are one of the most important resources for sport in England. All football players should have the opportunity to play on good quality grass pitches. However, FA data shows that 63% of pitches in England are poor / low standard and 1 in 6 games are cancelled. As such, poor pitch quality is consistently cited as the number one issue for players.

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

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

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

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

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

For more information click here.

PitchPower

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

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

Learn more by clicking here.

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Assets and opportunities

PPS data indicates that there are currently 11 grass pitch sites in Staffordshire Moorlands with three or more full-size pitch equivalents containing 52 grass pitches.

Of these, one is considered to have good quality pitches, eight are of standard quality and two poor quality.

Local consultation shows no common issues.

11 Key grass pitch sites
6 Sites prioritised for improvement
12 Full-sized pitch equivalents at these sites

Priority projects

Six priority projects for potential investment have been identified. Two of the sites have three or more full size pitch equivalents of poor quality, with the remaining four being smaller, but strategically important. Pitch quality ratings were evidenced by the current PPS and the prioritisation was made by local partners with the rationale of selecting sites that were the poorest in quality and that were most well utilised or had the greatest potential for increased utilisation following improvements.

3 - Moorside High School: works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: two adult, one youth pitch, one AGP and changing rooms
  • Current users: none
  • Rationale: quality issues limit community availability. Investment will support adult male, adult female, small-sided recreational, small-sided teams and leagues, youth female and youth male participation

4 - Cheadle Academy: works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: two adult pitches and changing rooms
  • Current users: none
  • Rationale: Currently poor quality which limited community use. Investment will support mini-soccer, small-sided recreational, small-sided teams and leagues, youth female and youth male participation

6 - Mill Hayes Playing Field: works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: three adult and one youth and two mini pitches and changing rooms
  • Current users: nine teams from five clubs
  • Rationale: currently poor quality. Investment will support adult male, mini-soccer, youth female and youth male participation

7 - South Moorlands Leisure Centre: works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: one youth and one mini pitch and changing rooms
  • Current users: six teams from Cheadle S.M.U Youth FC
  • Rationale: currently poor quality. Investment will support adult male, adult female, youth female and youth male participation

8 - The John Pointon Sports and Recreation Facility: works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: one adult, one 7v7 3G FTP and changing rooms
  • Current users: three teams from two clubs
  • Rationale: currently poor quality. Investment will support adult male, and youth male participation

13 - Malthouse Fields: works to natural grass pitches

  • Existing facilities: two adult pitches and changing rooms
  • Current users: two teams
  • Rationale: Recently acquired by Werrington Parish Council and in need of improvement. Investment will support adult male, and youth male participation

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.

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Assets and opportunities

Of the 11 key sites with three or more full-size pitch equivalents in Staffordshire Moorlands, all 11 have suitable changing room pavilions/clubhouses, meaning none have facilities that need improvement/ replacement. However, the project steering group identified three sites with less than three pitches which are strategically significant for football and which require investment in their changing facilities.

11 Key sites have suitable changing rooms / pavillions/ clubhouses
0 Require improvement / replacement
0 Have no facilities and require new builds

Priority projects

Three priority projects for potential investment have been identified. As all sites with three or more full size pitch equivalents have suitable provision, the selection focused on smaller sized sites that are strategically important. Two sites are deemed to have an unsuitable pavilion; one is without existing provision.

9 - Halls Road Playing Fields: refurbished changing pavilion

  • Existing facilities: one adult, one youth and one mini pitch and changing rooms
  • Current users: five teams from three clubs
  • Rationale: poor quality. Investment will support adult male, adult female, mini-soccer, youth female and youth male participation

10 - Harrison Park (Leek Town FC): refurbished changing pavilion

  • Existing facilities: one adult pitch and changing rooms
  • Current users: three teams from Leek Town FC
  • Rationale: poor quality. Investment will support adult male, adult female, mini-soccer, youth female and youth male participation

14 - Tean Road Recreation Ground: new changing pavilion

  • Existing facilities: one adult pitch
  • Current users: three teams
  • Rationale: not currently serviced; development could assist in enabling the site to be reconfigured to accommodate youth and mini football. Investment will support adult male, adult female, mini-soccer, youth female and youth male participation

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.

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Priority projects

0 Better Indoor spaces
4 MUGAs
4 Better parks / open green spaces

Indoor

Local consultation reveals there are no indoor facilities that require improvement to develop small-sided football.

Multi-use Games Areas (MUGAs)

Three 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:

11 - Churchill Road Recreation Ground: small-sided informal (MUGA)

  • Existing facilities: one adult pitch and a MUGA
  • Current users: recreational football
  • Rationale: poor quality. Investment will support IMD/lower social economic, small-sided informal and small-sided recreational participation

12 - Church Road Playing Fields: small-sided informal (MUGA)

  • Existing facilities: one adult pitch and a MUGA
  • Current users: four teams from four clubs and recreational football
  • Rationale: poor quality. Investment will support IMD/lower social economic, small-sided informal and small-sided recreational participation

16 - Hot Lane Recreation Ground: small-sided informal (MUGA)

  • Existing facilities: none
  • Current users: four teams from four clubs and recreational football
  • Rationale: poor quality and located next to a village hall that promotes usage. Investment will support IMD/lower social economic, small-sided informal and small-sided recreational participation

19 - Draycott Sports Centre: small-sided informal (MUGA)

  • Existing facilities: none
  • Current users: none
  • Rationale: centre is looking to convert under utilised tennis courts. Investment will support mini-soccer, small-sided informal, small-sided recreational and small-sided teams and leagues participation

Parks and open green spaces

Following local consultation, four locations have been identified to support small-sided informal football.

15 - Meigh Road Playing Fields: small-sided informal (park)

  • Existing facilities: one adult pitch and a MUGA
  • Current users: recreational football
  • Rationale: adult pitch not currently formally used and would be better served accommodating recreational demand. Investment will support small-sided informal and small-sided recreational participation

16 - Hot Lane Recreation Ground: small-sided informal (park)

  • Existing facilities: MUGA
  • Current users: four teams from four clubs and recreational football
  • Rationale: large grass area next to village hall that is not currently designated. Investment will support IMD/lower social economic, small-sided informal and small-sided recreational participation

17 - Cheddleton Playing Fields: small-sided informal (park)

  • Existing facilities: adult pitch
  • Current users: recreational football
  • Rationale: located within urban area and well used. Investment will support IMD/lower social economic, small-sided informal and small-sided recreational participation

18 - Westwood Recreation Ground: small-sided informal (park)

  • Existing facilities: informal football provision
  • Current users: recreational football
  • Rationale: located within urban area, with close proximity to two schools, and well used. Investment will support IMD/lower social economic, small-sided informal and small-sided recreational participation

Pitchfinder

Appendix A: Priority Project List

08

This list compiles all of the priority projects for potential investment. Each project has been scored against two principle factors: deliverability and outcomes (quality, inclusivity, sustainability, engagement and usage).

The list will be used flexibly; a projects ‘rating’ does not determine the exact order that it will progress to a funding application to the Football Foundation as we understand there are many factors that influence this. The process for moving a project from this list and into the ‘pre-application stage’ will be managed by the Football Foundation.

10

Harrison Park (Leek Town FC)

Location

HARRISON PARK HARRISONS PARK MACCLESFIELD ROAD, LEEK, Staffordshire, ST13 8LD

Facilities
  • Refurbish Changing Pavilion (1)
Owner

Football club

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

4.0/4

Overall score

92% (11.0/12)

Project Focus

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

12

Church Road Playing Fields

Location

CHURCH ROAD RECREATION GROUND CHURCH CLOSE, BIDDULPH, STOKE-ON-TRENT, Staffordshire, ST8 6NA

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Very High (4/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

83% (10.0/12)

Project Focus

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

1

Harrison Park (Leek Town FC)

Location

HARRISON PARK HARRISONS PARK MACCLESFIELD ROAD, LEEK, Staffordshire, ST13 8LD

Facilities
  • New 11v11 Floodlit 3G FTP (1)
Owner

Football club

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.4/4

Overall score

82% (9.8/12)

Project Focus

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

5

Biddulph High School

Location

BIDDULPH HIGH SCHOOL CONWAY ROAD, KNYPERSLEY, STOKE-ON-TRENT, Staffordshire, ST8 7AR

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (3)
  • Refurbish existing 9v9 3G FTP (11)
Owner

Education

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.2/4

Overall score

79% (9.4/12)

Project Focus

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

4

Cheadle Academy

Location

THE CHEADLE ACADEMY Station Road, Cheadle, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST10 1LH

Facilities
  • New 9v9 Floodlit 3G FTP (1)
Owner

Education

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

3.0/4

Overall score

75% (9.0/12)

Project Focus

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

11

Churchill Road Recreation Ground

Location

Churchill Road Recreation Ground Churchill Road, , ST10 1LD

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.9/4

Overall score

73% (8.8/12)

Project Focus

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

3

Moorside High School

Location

MOORSIDE HIGH SCHOOL MOORSIDE HIGH SCHOOL CELLARHEAD ROAD, WERRINGTON, STOKE-ON-TRENT, Staffordshire, ST9 0HP

Facilities
  • New 7v7 Floodlit 3G FTP (1)
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (3)
Owner

Education

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.8/4

Overall score

71% (8.5/12)

Project Focus

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

8

The John Pointon Sports and Recreation Facility

Location

THE JOHN POINTON SPORTS AND RECREATION FACILITY Bones Lane, Cheddleton, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 7BT

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (2)
Owner

Football club

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.6/4

Overall score

69% (8.3/12)

Project Focus

Adult male; Youth male

16

Hot Lane Recreation Ground

Location

HOT LANE PLAYING FIELDS PLAYING FIELDS HOT LANE, BIDDULPH MOOR, Staffordshire, ST8 7HP

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

Other

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.6/4

Overall score

69% (8.3/12)

Project Focus

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

19

Draycott Sports Centre

Location

DRAYCOTT SPORTS CENTRE LTD CRESSWELL LANE, DRAYCOTT, STOKE-ON-TRENT, Staffordshire, ST11 9AF

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

Other

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.6/4

Overall score

68% (8.1/12)

Project Focus

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

2

Brough Park Leisure Centre or Churnet View Middle School

Location

BROUGH PARK LEISURE CENTRE BALL HAYE ROAD, LEEK, Staffordshire, ST13 6AT

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

Local Authority

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.5/4

Overall score

67% (8.1/12)

Project Focus

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

6

Mill Hayes Playing Field

Location

MILL HAYES PLAYING FIELDS Mill Hayes Road, Knypersley, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST8 7PS

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (6)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.5/4

Overall score

67% (8.0/12)

Project Focus

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

7

South Moorlands Leisure Centre

Location

SOUTH MOORLANDS LEISURE CENTRE SOUTH MOORLANDS LEISURE CENTRE ALLEN STREET, CHEADLE, STOKE-ON-TRENT, Staffordshire, ST10 1HJ

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (2)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.4/4

Overall score

65% (7.8/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Adult male; Youth female; Youth male

9

Halls Road Playing Fields

Location

HALLS ROAD PLAYING FIELDS Halls Road, Biddulph, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST8 6DD

Facilities
  • Refurbish Changing Pavilion (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.4/4

Overall score

65% (7.8/12)

Project Focus

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

13

Malthouse Fields

Location

MALTHOUSE FIELDS LONGTON HARRIERS FC CLUBHOUSE LEEK ROAD, MOORVILLE, CELLARHEAD, Staffordshire, ST3 5BE

Facilities
  • Natural grass pitch improvements (2)
Owner

Other

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.3/4

Overall score

63% (7.6/12)

Project Focus

Adult female; Youth male

15

Meigh Road Playing Fields

Location

MEIGH ROAD PLAYING FIELDS Meigh Road, Ash Bank, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST2 9QJ

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

Other

Deliverability score

High (3/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.3/4

Overall score

63% (7.6/12)

Project Focus

Small-sided informal; Small-sided recreational

17

Cheddleton Playing Fields

Location

Cheddleton Playing Fields , ST13 5BN

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

Other

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.6/4

Overall score

61% (7.3/12)

Project Focus

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

18

Westwood Recreation Ground

Location

Westwood Recreation Ground , ST13 8DN

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

Other

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.6/4

Overall score

61% (7.3/12)

Project Focus

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

14

Tean Road Recreation Ground

Location

Tean Road Recreation Ground , ST10 1LG

Facilities
  • New Changing Pavilion (1)
Owner

Local Authority

Deliverability score

Medium (2/4)

NFFS outcome score

2.3/4

Overall score

55% (6.6/12)

Project Focus

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

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

Appendix B: Consultation List

09

  • Project Officer - Staffordshire Moorlands District Council
  • Head of Strategy & Investment - Staffordshire County FA
  • Secretary - Leek & District League
  • Chairman - North Staffs Junior League
  • Clerk - Cheadle Town Council
  • Chief Officer - Biddulph Town Council
  • Clerk - Leek Town Council
  • Programme Lead - Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner
  • School Sports Coordinator - SASSOT

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