Budding footballers could benefit from new facilities around Liverpool as the city council has teamed up with sporting organisations to invest £17 million.

The local authority, the FA, Sport England and the Premier League are planning to fund the creation of four football ‘hubs’ to increase participation and drive up the standard of pitches – providing Liverpool’s biggest ever grassroots football investment.

Jeffrey Humble Playing Field in Fazakerley, Heron Eccles Playing Field in Allerton, Jericho Lane Playing Field in Otterspool and Simpson Road in Woolton have been earmarked for new facilities including the latest artificial grass (3G) pitches and new changing areas as part of the first phase of the proposed scheme.

The initiative, which would see £4.4m contributed by Liverpool City Council and £12.6m from partner operations, follows discussions between Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson and FA chairman Greg Dyke about piloting the idea in the city.

A report recommending management of the facilities is transferred to a new city-wide Football Trust which would reinvest their income into further improvements is to be discussed at a council cabinet meeting on Friday 4 March.

Mayor Joe Anderson says: “Far too often during the winter, matches have to be called off because the grass is waterlogged or frozen, causing disappointment for thousands of people.

“That is why I am delighted that, following my discussions with FA Chairman Greg Dyke, we have worked together to come up with an innovative new approach that will deliver major investment in great new facilities and get more people involved in the game.

“It is a real coup that the FA have chosen Liverpool to pilot it and is a clear demonstration of their confidence in us to deliver.”

A programme of development for boys and girls would enable them to progress to the professional game, and football matches through the week would be introduced to ensure the facilities are not just being used at weekends.

It is expected that Liverpool FC and Everton FC would also use the pitches, and two sites would offer health and fitness classes to complement the city’s existing physical activity and sports programmes.

David Woods, chair of the Liverpool Grassroots Steering Group, adds: “Today’s announcement is an extremely exciting one for the future of grassroots football in Liverpool.

“Once construction has concluded, these four hub sites will provide high-quality facilities for grassroots clubs and leagues, who will be able to play football in a safe environment. Not only will these facilities be available for clubs during the week for training; at weekends they will allow for mini-soccer to be played in the morning, with youth and adult football able to be played in the afternoon.”

Consultation will get underway over the next few weeks over the proposals with planning applications expected to be submitted in the near future.

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