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£1.2 million playing pitch scheme for Sefton

Sefton Council is delighted to announce that it has been successful in a bid for £780,000 funding from the Football foundation to create brand new 3G pitches at Orrell Mount.

Alongside around £350,000 direct investment from the Council, this welcome additional funding will allow the Council to create brand new, all-weather 3G playing pitches to replace the existing grass pitch and to install new changing facilities on the site.

Local Sefton former professional footballer Jamie Carragher’s 23 Foundation will be running the new facility, to maximise its potential. They will provide a managed programme which supports partner club growth and offers a range of recreational football activities to people of all ages, genders and abilities to deliver the FA strategic outcomes. Any profits made from operating the facility will be put back in to the community.

The Council’s plans include the installation of measures such as sound proofing boards to address any concerns residents may have about noise from the pitches; and there will be strict operating times to ensure that any light pollution is minimised.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said

“This is an exciting and much needed project for Sefton. Pitches such as those being created at Orrell Mount (sometimes referred to locally as Silcocks playing field) are desperately needed in our borough. Our Playing Pitch Strategy indicated that around 17 such sites are needed across Sefton. These all-weather pitches will support residents to maintain their health and wellbeing all year round, as well as provide the opportunity for local junior football teams to train and play the whole year round.

“I’d also like to reassure the local community that Sefton Council has not sold Orrell Mount / Silcocks playing fields, they remain in council ownership and there are no plans to sell the land. Dog walkers and the public will still have access to the open land around the 3G pitches as they always have done. There are no plans to build on the site.

“Longer term, we are hopeful that in the future we will also be able to refurbish the existing pavilion for wider community use.

“We hope these new pitches will increase participation in football amongst the local community so that the health and wellbeing benefits that football provides can be accessed by players of all abilities and ages.”

James Olsen, Director of Jamie Carragher Soccer Schools, said:

“Sefton doesn’t currently have any 3G pitches, so the facilities due to be created at Orrell Mount are a welcome addition.

“This scheme is about creating a space for our local community to come and play football in a safe environment and help improve children’s wellbeing. We will be working closely with schools and running half term events to keep kids off the streets.

“We cannot emphasise enough how much this will have a positive effect on our local community.

“Our aim is to put any profits back into the local community, through free coaching and coach education for volunteer managers/parents to get proper training qualifications.”