Work is due to start on a state-of-the-art all weather football pitch

Work is due to start on a state-of-the-art all weather football pitch in Sale to the delight of teams in the local community.

The impressive full size 3G pitch is being built at Crossford Bridge on the site used previously by Old Altrinchamians FC.

Trafford Council was successful in bidding for £1m worth of funding from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation towards the new pitch as part of its capital investment into new and improved football facilities across the borough.

The Council teamed up with the Football Foundation and the Crossford Bridge Management Association to provide the pitch for the local community. Local residents were also consulted on the plans ahead of the building of the pitch.

Cllr Cath Hynes, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Leisure, Arts, Culture and Heritage, said: “We are delighted that work is due to start on the new facilities at Crossford Bridge. This pitch will be of huge benefit to teams in the community and I am hoping we might see the next footballing superstar in action there.

“This is great news as the Council is committed to doing everything possible to improve health and wellbeing and reducing health inequalities across the borough. Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard on this scheme.”

A spokesperson for the Crossford Bridge Management Association (CBMA) said: “The CBMA are delighted to partner Trafford Council and Football Foundation to deliver this much needed community project. This scheme will enable hundreds of additional people to access sporting facilities all year round.

“This project is the result of a lot of hard work and dedication by a lot of people and the CBMA and its clubs (Sale United FC, Old Alts FC and Sale Harriers) would like to thank the partners for their efforts.”

A spokesperson for Cheshire FA said: “Cheshire FA is delighted to see the pitch build starting at Crossford Bridge and cannot wait to see the benefits it will bring to the local grassroots football community. CFA would like to thank CBMA and Trafford Council for driving this project forward and the Football Foundation for investing in this crucial project.”

 Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government – to transform the quality of grassroots facilities in England by delivering projects like this across the country. 

“Good quality playing facilities have a transformative impact on physical and mental health and play an important role in bringing people together and strengthening local communities. This grant award to Trafford Council towards developing the pitch at Crossford Bridge is fantastic news for the local community and will help give more people access to a great place to play.” 

Work on the pitch is due to start at the end of March 2024 with plans for it to be completed by autumn 2024.