Council and football club strike deal to deliver major revamp of local sports facility

Cheshire East Council has secured agreement with a popular football club, as its nominated delivery partner, to drive forward an ambitious redevelopment scheme.

The agreement follows a formal selection process and involves creating a 3G artificial grass pitch and a refurbished pavilion at the King George V Playing Fields, in Crewe.  

The council is to work with Crewe FC – a three-star community club – and the Football Foundation to oversee a £1.4m partnership project at the King George V Playing Fields, in Crewe. Crewe FC will be the official Football Development Partner.  

The aim is to provide third generation all-weather artificial playing surfaces and modern changing facilities, with the emphasis on inclusivity, appealing to both male and female players and people with disabilities. The club already has a large number of teams across all ages and abilities, including several women’s teams. 

The redevelopment will future proof the club, providing football opportunities for more than 500 members and players, promoting and developing grass roots sporting opportunities in the local community.  

With anticipated grant funding from the Football Foundation, and all other costs to be met by Crewe FC, the project will be cost-neutral to the council. The scheme is subject to planning permission and an application will be submitted soon with a view to making a grant application in the autumn.  

Councillor Mick Warren, Cheshire East Council’s chair of the council’s environment and communities committee, said:

“This is a rare opportunity to update this expansive playing facility with a modern, all-weather artificial grass surface and a changing pavilion that meets today’s necessary high standards of provision.  

“The council is pleased to be working with Crewe FC as our Football Development Partner and I am sure this will encourage more people of all age groups, gender and abilities, to become active participants in the sport.”  

Steve Parker, Crewe FC chairman, said:

“This is fantastic news, not only for the club but for the wider football community, in Crewe. 

“This partnership, in collaboration with Cheshire East Council and the Football Foundation, and the Cheshire FA, marks a significant milestone in our commitment to the continual development of grassroots football and a progression pathway for local children, young people and adults.”  

Subject to planning consent, the King George V Playing Fields will see the addition of the artificial pitch plus a refurbished pavilion providing full wheelchair access, disabled changing areas, nursing parent facilities, wide corridors, gender-neutral change, flexible coaching, and catering areas.  

The development delivers on the council’s Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sport Strategy, which identifies a need for additional third generation artificial grass playing surfaces within the Crewe area.