Radcliffe’s revolutionary all-weather 3G pitch revolutionizes the game
The impressive new 3G football pitch at Redbank Playing Fields in Radcliffe, costing £2.4 million, has been completed during the winter months. Construction of a new changing pavilion, club room, and an 85-place car park is set to be finished by July.
Funding for these state-of-the-art facilities has come from a combination of sources, including £1.8 million from the Premier League, The FA, and the Government’s Football Foundation, as well as an additional £600,000 from Bury Council. The new 3G pitch will replace some of the traditional grass pitches that often suffer from waterlogging, leading to abandoned matches.
The on-site car park will have 78 standard car spaces, 4 electric vehicle spaces, and 12 cycle spaces to encourage active travel. Councillor Alan Quinn, responsible for the environment, climate change, and operations, praised the new facilities, highlighting the benefits of the durable FIFA-standard quality pitch for year-round play.
The Radcliffe 3G facility will be used by approximately 77 teams, managed by the Radcliffe Football Foundation, a collaboration between Radcliffe Juniors and Radcliffe FC. The Foundation’s Paul Hilton expressed excitement about the transformative impact of the new facility on the town and its community.
While the pavilion and car park are still under construction, the facility will initially be used by the club for practice sessions and rescheduled matches. It will open to the public later in the year, with an official opening event planned before the next football season.
In addition to Redbank, other modern 3G facilities can be found at Goshen Playing Fields in Bury, with plans for a new facility at Top Park in Ramsbottom. The press release for this development was issued on 15th March 2024.
The Football Foundation, a charity supported by the Premier League, The FA, and the Government, aims to improve grassroots football facilities and create more opportunities for playing. Since its establishment in 2000, the Foundation has invested over £1 billion in grassroots facilities across the UK, including 3G football turf pitches and changing rooms.
Local Football Facility Plans have been developed in collaboration with local authorities and community stakeholders, providing a blueprint for improving grassroots football facilities nationwide. For more information on the Foundation and plans for your area, visit footballfoundation.org.uk.
