A fabulous state-of-the-art all weather community football pitch in Sale has just celebrated its first birthday – to the joy of the local community!
The Crossford Bridge 3G pitch was officially opened to the local area just over a year ago thanks to the hard work of Trafford Council and it partners.
The facility, on the site used previously by Old Altrinchamians FC and Sale United FC, has proved to be a massive success over the last 12 months and has been used by thousands of local footballers of all ages.
Officially opened by senior representatives from Trafford Council and the Football Foundation on October 24, the pitch is open to all of the community. Players from local clubs including Sale United as well as local primary schools, sports clubs, community groups and colleges are also flocking there morning, noon and night to show off their skills.
To fund the building of the pitch, Trafford Council was successful in bidding for £1m from the Football Foundation as part of its capital investment into new and improved football facilities.
The pitch is busy every day and night of the week – and this week was no different. On Tuesday night, Budding soccer star Milano Collins-Blackett, aged five, was on the pitch enjoying training with his pals from Sale Unted.
And pals Marlon Campbell, aged 16, and Harry Thomond, aged 17, were also showing off their skills on the same night. Marlon said: “The facilities here are great and the pitch is brilliant. You can play on here in the rain or the sun and that’s great for us.”
Harry, who plays right back, said:
“The Crossford Bridge 3G pitch is great – such a good surface. I’m so pleased it is here – I play on it nearly every night to be honest.”
The Council has made providing culture, sport and heritage a strategic priority and launched the Trafford Moving strategy to address the issue of physical inactivity in Trafford by maximising community assets such as parks and leisure centres.
The Council teamed up with the Football Foundation, Cheshire County FA, Old Altrinchamians FC, Sale United and Crossford Bridge Management Association to provide the pitch for the local community and residents were also consulted on the plans ahead of the start of the work on the facility in March 2024.
The legacy of the Women’s Euros in 2022 resulted in a huge increase in girls and women’s teams across Trafford leading to a demand for more 3G pitches.
Cllr Eve Parker, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Leisure, Arts, Culture and Heritage, said:
“The opening of the pitch 12 months ago provided a huge boost for the community and local football teams in the area.
“It is proving extremely popular and we are hoping we can produce some budding United and City stars on it right here in the heart of Sale.”
A spokesperson for the Crossford Bridge Management Association (CBMA) said:
“The facility is amazing and enables footballers to develop their skills on a quality playing surface. Teams from all over Trafford enjoy playing games here every week.”
A spokesperson for the Football Foundation, said:
“The Football Foundation is delighted to have worked with Trafford Council and Cheshire County FA to deliver the 3G pitch at Crossford Bridge last year and understand it’s been a great asset to the locality. The pitch will continue to provide more opportunities for the local community to get active and play sport.
To book Crossford Bridge 3G, please emai office@saleunitedfc.co.uk