Local Football Facility Plan Stockport

Stockport is located in the North West Region.

The current population of the Authority (ONS 2017 Mid-Year Estimate) is 291,045. This is expected to rise to 317,196 by 2039.

Stockport is ranked 30 out of 39 LAs in the Region, and 178 out of 326 LAs nationally on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (ONS).

Its ethnic composition is primarily white (92%). This is higher than the national average (85.4%).

The proportion of Stockport’s population represented by the BAME community is 8%. This is below the national average (14.6%).

Local Authority

The Stockport Council Active Communities Strategy (2019-2021) sets out a number of key objectives to improve the health and wellbeing of residents of, and visitors to, Stockport. The stated key objective in relation to sports facilities is to review, develop and sustain the built natural environment to help increase physical activity. To achieve this objective, the Authority will provide a range of green space and leisure facilities that are appealing and conducive for physical activity for people of all ages in the Borough.

It is important to note that these objectives also link in with Greater Manchester's Local Delivery Pilot programme.

The Authority Playing Pitch Strategy was produced in December 2019. The key findings are that there is a current shortfall of six 3G FTPs and a deficit of both mini 5v5 and youth 11v11 grass pitch provision. The 3G FTP shortfall will increase to eight through team generation rates as calculated up to 2035.

County football association

Stockport is covered by both Manchester and Cheshire County FAs. 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 FAs have designated facilities investment lead officers 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 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). Stockport County Foundation runs a number of health, education, engagement, football and sporting activities in the local area.

Local leisure operator

Life Leisure is the key leisure operator in Stockport. It currently operates 12 sports centre sites. There is 3G football provision at Stockport Sports Village, which has two full sized 3G FTPs plus a number of small sided 3G pitches.

Local consultation

This has taken place with a broad and diverse set of community groups in Stockport. 25 individuals (representing 22 local organisations) were consulted. These include:

• Stockport Council
• Life Leisure
• Stockport Homes
• A range of football clubs

(See Appendix B for full list of consultees)

Clubs

There are over 91,000 community football teams in England, spread over an expansive network of clubs and leagues. Stockport has a total of 558 teams, which is higher than local areas of a similar size.

The FA is investing to support clubs both on and off the pitch which includes an aim to have a qualified FA coach with every youth team by 2020/21. In addition, it will support 1,000 clubs to create full player pathways from youth to adult teams and develop 150 community football hubs with male and female pathways, disability and recreational playing opportunities.

Over the last 10-years there has been a significant national increase in the number of large multi-team football clubs. In Stockport, 17 clubs have more than 10 registered teams. Based upon 2018-19 affiliation data, these are:

• Reddish North End
• Reddish Villa
• Cheadle & Gately Junior
• Inter Cheadle FC
• Cheadle Town
• Reddish Vulcans
• Juno United
• Richmond Rovers
• Great Moor County JFC
• Queensgate
• Bramhall North 75
• Stockport Dynamos Jnrs
• FC Bluestar
• Hazel Grove United
• Stockport County Colts
• Marple Athletic
• High Lane FC

27 leagues, the majority of which operate on a wider than local basis, cater for clubs and teams in Stockport . They offer competitive opportunities for many different players, including women and girls, disability, youth and adults. The largest of the local leagues (2018-19) include:

• Stockport Metropolitan League
• Manchester Respect Football League
• Stockport District Sunday FL
• East Manchester JFL
• East Cheshire Sunday

Both County FAs report significant cross boundary migration to/from Stockport due to teams playing in neighbouring authorities, including Tameside (Tameside Football league) and Manchester (Manchester Youth and Mini Soccer League).

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 Stockport there are 19 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. Stockport has four FA Wildcats girls football centres and the priority is to grow this activity.

At 26 Stockport's number of female teams is lower than local areas of a similar size. It is a priority for both county FAs to support existing clubs to grow and encourage more to develop playing opportunities for females. The local girls league is the Cheshire Girls League in which matches are played on a central venue basis. It is expected to grow its provision in future years with the new division starting in the 2019-20 season. The local adult female league is the Cheshire Women's and Youth football League. Its matches are played on a home and away basis and it is expected to grow its provision in future years.

For talented players, there are two local FA Regional Talent Clubs (RTC); Manchester United and Manchester City. Higher level talent pathway opportunities are also provided regionally and nationally by the FA, culminating in the England Women’s national squads. In addition, both Manchester United and Manchester City run Women's Super League teams, which provide player pathway opportunities for gifted and talented female players and a spectator interest for fans.

Small-sided football

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

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

• Box Football- Cheadle Hulme
• Soccer sixes –Hazel Grove High School,
• Leisure Leagues- Stockport Sports Village

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.

Stockport Futsal Club is the only futsal club in Stockport. It competes in the FA National Futsal League Division 1 North. Both County FAs are keen to grow futsal for youth players in the Authority.

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 five FA Just Play centres in Stockport. Walking football sessions are delivered by a range of community organisation such as Stockport County Foundation Trust. Walking football and Just Play are priorities for further growth - for both County FAs.

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 Stockport is played particularly in the a number of key sites in the Borough, including Torkington Park and St Thomas Recreational Ground.

The key strengths of local football in Stockport include junior and senior male football and it is recommend that this is sustained and also encouraged to grow further. However, gaps in provision do exist including futsal and female football. It is therefore recommended that the future football development priorities for Stockport are:

• Female growth in foundation age from U7
• Youth futsal provision
• Continued expansion of Cheshire Girls league development
• Minimum operating standards for grassroots youth football leagues
• Recreational alternatives such as just play and walking football
• Increased accessibility to disability football in grassroots clubs

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

In addition, priority projects which progress 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 Stockport. 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:

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 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 and account is, thus, taken of these potential connections.

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

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

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

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

The 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.

The full-sized (11 v 11) 3G FTPs in Stockport are located at:

• Cheadle Hulme High School
• Cheadle Hulme School
• Seashell Trust
• Aquinas College
• Woodley Sports Village (x 2)
• Hazel Grove Sports Centre
• Burnage Rugby Club*

(*although this pitch is marked for rugby, it currently accommodates a number of football clubs (including Juno United and Bluestar FC). As a consequence it is listed as a community accessible pitch).

In addition, there are five small-sided 3G FTP centres in Stockport located at:

• Stockport Sports Village (seven 5v5 3G FTPs)
• Park Road Stadium (one 5v5 FTP)
• South Manchester Sports Club Youth (one 11v11 FTP)
• St Joseph'S Roman Catholic Primary School Reddish (one 60m x 40m FTP)
• Mike Doyle Centre Youth (one 9V9 FTP and one 5v5 FTP)

The Stockport PPS indicates a current shortfall of six full size 3G FTPs which will rise to eight through future team growth.

All eight existing full sized 3G FTPs are available for community use and four are listed on the FA Register for 3G FTPs (meaning that they have been quality checked and can be used for football match play). It is strongly recommended that the remaining four (Burnage Rugby Club, Aquinas College, Cheadle Hulme High School, Hazel Grove Sports Centre) are assessed and placed on the Register to enable more match play on 3G.

The geographic spread of existing facilities is uneven; key areas of population including Marple, Reddish and Offerton currently lack facilities. In addition, due to the high level of affiliated football in certain areas, demand far outstrips supply. This is particularly pertinent in Cheadle and the west of the Authority. Although there are three full sized 3G FTPs In this area of Stockport, several clubs have over 40 teams; these include Cheadle and Gatley FC, Juno United FC and Inter Cheadle FC leading to a situation where clubs are still struggling to access sufficient 3G space for training and match play.

Club consultation suggests that, due to the insufficient 3G FTP provision, certain clubs are forced to train on poor quality sand dressed pitches or are restricted to accessing small sided commercial provision (such as Box Football or Powerleague Stockport), which is not cost effective for club sustainability.

Seven priority projects for potential investment are identified. Although the PPS identifies a requirement for eight 3G FTPs (incorporating future team growth until 2035) the steering group agreed to focus on the current shortfall and identify additional projects as and when this plan is reviewed.

Proposed sites are, thus, selected by local partners based on a rationale of geographic spread and catering for current affiliated football demand.

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 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.

In many local areas 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 18 grass pitch sites in Stockport with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three but deemed to be of strategic importance). These contain 94 grass pitches. The latest PPS identifies that the pitches at 16 sites are assessed as poor or standard, however, it has been agreed that 12 would be recommended for investment on the basis of their specific strategic priority. Investment in these will result in quality improvements to 45 pitches.

12 priority projects for potential investment are identified.

These can provide a number of different benefits. While the primary function is normally the provision of changing rooms to accommodate match-play and training (for players and officials), there can be equal value in facilities such as community and education rooms, catering facilities and spectator toilets.

Each project will take a progressive approach to pavilions and clubhouses (beyond the provision of changing rooms) and be open to new opportunities to engage the whole community. That means, creating environments that are welcoming to players, spectators, volunteers, officials and all sections of the community.

Such assets should support other investment priorities (e.g. 3G FTPs and grass pitches) and be located at sites that will have the greatest impact on local communities. To ensure this, focus is given to sites with three or more full-size pitch equivalents. However, as pitch quality is the number one priority for players this is prioritised before investment in changing room pavilions /clubhouses.

Clearly, facilities need to be well managed and maintained to keep them in a good state of repair. Consideration will be given to reviewing the best operator solution for key sites and the installation of revenue generating features such as catering facilities and community rooms. To achieve this, business plan support will be given to each priority project as it progresses to an application to the Football Foundation.

Of the 18 key grass pitch sites in Stockport with three or more full-size pitch equivalents (or with fewer than three but deemed to be of strategic importance) nine have suitable changing rooms, four require improvement/replacement and five have no facilities and require some form of new changing pavilion.

Nine priority projects for potential investment are identified:

Good facilities are important to all small-sided football players, but it is important to understand the different formats of the small-sided game and the various facility types they relate to.

Research suggests that small-sided players in teams and leagues, and in recreational sessions, prefer a 3G surface type because it replicates a good standard natural turf pitch. These facilities have already been covered in the 3G FTP section of this LFFP.

Indoor environments currently accommodate 20% of football participation and are also popular with players in teams and leagues and recreational sessions . Indoor sports halls are most popular, along with some community halls and indoor 3G centres. Environments need to be engaging, have clear line-marking and the correct size goalposts.

Informal players require facilities that are open and free to access as this enables play opportunities that are often spontaneous. In these circumstances multi-use games areas (MUGAs) can be effective in areas of high urban population and limited green space. Such facilities can be modern, bright, creative and engaging. While this plan will identify suitable locations for such facilities, the design and specifics of the facility type can be agreed at a later stage with Football Foundation staff when projects are ready to progress to pre-application stage.

Parks and open green spaces are also important to informal play and require goalposts and zones that are free from litter and dog fouling.

Local consultation indicates one indoor facility at which support for indoor/recreational football is merited. Hazel Grove Sports Centre is a popular site for futsal and indoor football which could benefit from investment to further encourage participation in the sport.

One site has been identified for investment to support recreational football. The Seashell Trust, a key provider of disability sport programmes, has plans to install a Cruyff Court to allow the organisation to expand its programme delivery. The Trust is currently in discussions with the Cruyff Foundation regarding the feasibility of installing a facility.

It must be noted that two other sites have been identified to support recreational football in Stockport, however, it was confirmed that the Local Authority will fund these 100% with no requirement for support from the Football Foundation. For reference, the projects are:

• Torkington Park
• St Thomas Recreational Ground

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

Active Stockport Manager: Stockport Council

Consultant for PE: Stockport Council

Parks and Open Spaces Manager: Stockport Council,

Planning Officer: Stockport Council

Community Manager: Stockport Homes

Seashell Trust: Sports Development Manager:

Head of Sport: Life Leisure

Club Chairman: Reddish North End:

League secretary: Stockport Sunday League,

Club Chairman: Marple Athletic,

Club Chairman: Cheadle and Gatley FC,

Club chairman: Reddish Villa,

Club Chairman: South Manchester Sports Club,

Club Chairman: Stockport Dynamos,

Club Chairman: Reddish North End,

League secretary: Stockport Metropolitan league,

Club Chairman: Hazel Grove Utd,

Club Chairman: Cheadle Town,

Club Chairman: Stockport County FC (Foundation),

Club Chairman: Juno United

Club Chairman: Stockport County Ladies,

Club Chairman: Hillgate FC.

Club Chairman: Great Moor County FC,

League secretary: Stockport District Sunday League,

League secretary: East Cheshire Sunday Football League.