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Pitch Perfect: £2m community football hub and supersized pitch opens

05 February 2024

Close up shot of football pitch with lines in shot

The supersized pitch is the first of its kind in Wirral

A state-of-the-art artificial grass pitch (AGP) in the heart of the Woodchurch Estate has seen its first fixture take place this weekend.

Players were joined by the Mayor of Wirral and other officials to kick off proceedings at the new facility. The hub has a floodlit, artificial grass turf 3G football pitch that can be used flexibly to play all formats of the game including 5, 7 and 11 a side matches for juniors and adults. The supersized football pitch is the first of its kind in Wirral and one of only several nationwide.

Panned back view of a large football pitch with players in the distance

Side view of the goal on a football pitch — The pitch is floodlit, supersized and will allow for 5, 7 and 11-a-side matches.

The site also boasts a pavilion housing toilets, changing rooms, a community room, with parking also provided. There will also be a café on site.

Outdoor shot of changing pavilion, a single storey brick building — The pavilion is brand new and offers spectators and players shelter from the elements

A bright and airy community room — The community room offers spaces for groups to socialise

Shower facilities — Brand new changing and showering facilities

Changing facilities and toilets — Brand new changing and showering facilities and toilets inside the pavilion

Cutting the ribbon on the brand-new facility, the Mayor of Wirral, Cllr Jerry Williams, said:

This significant investment is in line with our plan to give more people access to good quality football facilities within the borough. Providing our communities with the facilities they’ve told us they want is an important part of encouraging local people to live active and healthy lives.

Mayor of Wirral Cllr Jerry Williams cutting a ribbon next to the new pitch, alongside Joe Wilson leisure manager — Mayor of Wirral, Cllr Jerry Williams, cut the ribbon on the new facility, alongside Joe Wilson, leisure manager.

The hub has been jointly funded by Wirral Council and the Football Foundation. The Football Foundation have awarded around £1.16m in funding, with funding from the Council’s capital programme providing the other £880K.*

The site will be operated by the Council, with daytime usage Monday to Friday running in partnership with the Carr Bridge Community Centre. Local League matches will be facilitated at the weekends.

Cllr Williams said:

I’m thrilled we’ve been able to open this facility in Woodchurch with fantastic support from the local community and councillors. This site will allow many Wirral based clubs to train and play competitive matches all year round.

Work on a second full size, all-weather pitch at Bidston Sports and Activity Centre is still ongoing with funding from the Football Foundation and the Council. The new pitch is expected to open in Spring 2024.

Enquiries for 7-a-side football pitch bookings at Woodchurch are now being taken, email leisureblockbookings@wirral.gov.uk with your team’s manager name, team name, age group and day and time required.

The Carr Bridge Community Centre will be managing the facility Monday-Friday during the daytime. For enquiries relating to daytime bookings, please contact them via sport.carrbridgecentre@gmail.com.

For any other enquiries please contact the central team on bookingsandinformation@wirral.gov.uk.

[* - Funding from the council’s Capital Programme cannot be used for day-to-day items like running council services. Capital funding can only be used for assets and infrastructure.]