First full-size 3G football pitch to be built in Southport
Plus: Southport man arrested in dawn raid and how to celebrate your favourite business
Hello and welcome to the 21st edition of The Southport Lead.
Today’s main story focuses on plans to develop a facility which has long been lacking in the town - a full size 3G football pitch. While there are a few smaller sized facilities across the town, an 11-a-side option has long been lacking despite Football Foundation guidelines suggesting there is a shortfall of 13 such facilities across Sefton.
Read on to find out more about those plans, along with some previously unreported details on previous plans for such a facility which never came to fruition.
Also in today’s edition: the Southport man accused in relation to alleged drug dealing; and your chance to recognise your favourite businesses in the town.
Participation boost promised as town finally gets full-size 3G football pitch
A full-size 3G football is set to be built at Birkdale High School - the first of its kind in Southport.
The facility will be open for use by the community, meaning amateur footballers are no longer forced to travel to Skelmersdale or South Sefton to play 11-a-side football on an all-weather pitch.
According to The Football Foundation’s Local Football Facilities Plan, the borough of Sefton should have 17 full-sized pitches but instead has four - none of which are in Southport. While Stanley High School and Dunes have smaller pitches, a full-size option is not available anywhere in the town.
Under plans submitted to Sefton Council, a caged all-weather pitch is to be built on the school field, next to the netball and tennis courts, and will be managed directly by the school.. Operating hours of 9am-10pm are requested as part of plans for the floodlit-facility, which can also be divided to house two nine-a-side pitches, two seven-a-side ones, and four at five-a-side size.
Previous attempts
The Southport Lead can also reveal that plans to build such a facility on the Ferryside Lane playing fields in Crossens were considered by Southport FC in 2018. This got to the extent of testing soil samples which proved the ground was suitable for such a use.
However, then-owner Phil Hodgkinson left the club in 2019 and its big-spending plans were shelved. Neither Hodgkinson or the club have enjoyed much success on or off the field since then, and Ferryside Lane instead became the home of the rapidly growing Southport Athletic JFC.
The playing field shared by KGV College and Meols Cop High School have repeatedly been considered for such a development, with a three-way investment involving Southport FC mooted on more than one occasion. However, The Southport Lead understands that more work would be needed to make this surface suitable and higher costs involved in this have proved prohibitive.
Increasing participation
The plans come at a time when men’s participation in amateur football is dropping but junior and female playing is soaring. A decade ago, the Southport and District Amateur League had four divisions of mens’ teams but now has just two with several travelling in from a much wider area. Likewise, established clubs such as Southport Trinity have gone from having multiple mens’ teams to none.
But at the same time, other groups have seen a dramatic rise in participation. In particular, the junior girls’ game has soared in popularity and more pitches are being sought by the Hightown Junior League each year.
A report submitted with the application states: “The resultant facilities would not only be used by community football clubs, but also by partner organisations and
community groups from the surrounding areas to gain the maximum football developmental outcomes, via prearranged and structured community access.
“The development of this AGP, in accordance with The Football Association’s technical design guidelines, will especially enable children and young adults to play on appropriately sized pitches with appropriately sized goals, encouraging greater touches of the ball and an increased involvement in the game to enable skill development.
“The intention is that young players will develop better technical and decision-making skills from a younger age.
“The AGP will support FA affiliated junior / youth football (highest level of competition), along with training and coaching activities.
The facility will support several inclusive organisations who provide strong and sustainable education placements for providing children and young people, in addition to a number of organisations who support those with a disability.”
It adds: “There is a strong core of community organisations linked to this project which would see extensive participation on the 3G and the grass pitches that would be improved by enhanced maintenance linked to the project.
“The Programme of use is being worked up through significant consultation with the partners and other potential users. A full programme is set to be submitted to the Football Foundation to unlock funding very shortly.
“The introduction of the new 3G FTP and its use by a large number of local teams within the partner clubs as well as other organisations would ensure a significant growth in participation at the site. Demand from Affiliated football means that typical ‘Club nights’ would be totally full in peak times during the week. After school clubs recreational sessions and pay and play sessions make up the informal offer with and disability sessions making up further midweek usage.
“Weekends would see a full timetable of matches and Mini-soccer training. Recreational football would be well represented at the project. The School are proposing to run recreational/turn up and play sessions immediately after school, some free of charge. “
We are currently looking to work with organisations (such as the Pro-Club Trusts locally) on initiatives that engage with under-represented groups.”
A decision on whether to grant planning permission will be made by Sefton Council.
Southport man charged after cross-border raids
A Southport man was one of four people charged after properties were raided in a joint operation across the North West.
The North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) joined with local forces to knock down doors in Southport, Skelmersdale, St Helens and Gatley. During the searches, police seized around £10,000 cash and cocaine.
Four men were arrested on conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. They have now been charged and are due to appear before court this morning. The men charged are:
Ellis Nolan, 22, of Sussex Road, Southport
Kevin Gaskell, 42, of Castlehey, Skelmersdale
Kieran Sydenham, 27, of Duke Street, St Helens
Daniel Stawarczyk, 35, of Rimsdale Close, Gatley
Detective Inspector Kelly Wild from the NWROCU's Investigation Team said: "Today's arrests are the culmination of a thorough investigation and the unwavering dedication of our officers and partner agencies.
“We are resolute in our mission to dismantle the crime groups that plague our communities with drugs, and we are committed to ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice."
Public vote open for Southport business awards
The shortlist for this year’s Your Southport Stars Awards has been revealed - with 92 organisations recognised across 11 sector-specific categories
The Stars Awards are organised by Southport BID to celebrate the vital contribution and positive impact of Southport town centre businesses and this year’s edition sees a record number of businesses are nominated.
In a change from last year, two awards will be given in each category - one decided by a public vote and one decided by a panel of business leaders.
Rachel Fitzgerald, Southport BID CEO said: “We’re excited for the return of the Your Southport Stars Awards. It’s the perfect opportunity to put the spotlight on the town centre business community.
“We are delighted with the way in which BID businesses have embraced the Stars Awards. There was a great sense of friendly competition across the town centre last year.
“The 2024 awards were the best yet, but we’re hoping this year will be even bigger. Make sure to cast your vote and show your love for Southport town centre businesses.”
You can vote in each of the categories - which include New Business of the Year, Independent Retailer of the Year and Entertainment Venue of the Year - on the Southport Bid site by Friday, May 2.
Rail replacement bus service planned
Planning a Mothers’ Day trip to Liverpool? Beware that trains will not be running between Southport and Hillside on Sunday due to planned maintenance work.
Rail replacement buses will run each way between the two stations, with a normal service operating from Hillside onwards.
News in headlines
Completion date set for £73m events centre (Liverpool Echo)
Southport Heritage Running Day on Mother’s Day will see classic buses running all day with funds for Elsie’s Story (Stand Up For Southport)
Man denies murdering 73-year-old dad found dead in bungalow (Liverpool Echo)
Thanks for reading this mid-week edition of The Southport Lead, I’ll be back in your inbox on Sunday morning. In the meantime if there’s anything you think I should be looking into then drop me a line southport@thelead.uk
Have a great rest of the week and if you’re in a position to support this newsletter then please consider a paid subscription.
Jamie & The Southport Lead team