Sports village could be created next to Elland Road stadium
THE FOOTBALL Association could help fund a new community sports village next to Leeds United’s Elland Road ground as part of a multi-million pound investment in grassroots soccer across the city.
United want to make Fullerton Park the home of a state-ofthe-art development that would boast indoor and outdoor artificial pitches as well as educational and health facilities.
Leeds believe the centre would be a world-class asset for the city – but, when the idea was first announced last October, it was not clear where the money for it would come from.
Now, though, as England prepare to play their final World Cup warm-up game against Costa Rica at Elland Road this evening, it has emerged that the initiative could be funded with the support of an FA programme called Parklife.
Parklife has already pumped millions of pounds into community football hubs in Sheffield, with work also under way on a £17m scheme in Liverpool. More than £150m remains up for grabs from the programme, with Leeds having been identified by the FA as a “key city” that could benefit from it.
And last night it was confirmed that talks have been taking place between Leeds City Council and the FA about the possibility of the local authority bidding for a slice of the cash.
If the council goes ahead with a bid and it proves successful, then up to four community football hubs – each with as many as three pitches – would be funded in Leeds. Possible sites for the hubs include Woodhall Playing Fields in Pudsey, Fearnville Leisure Centre in Gipton and Fullerton Park.
Council leader Coun Judith Blake said: “We are pleased to be continuing to work alongside the FA and Leeds United to enhance and improve community football facilities in Leeds and its communities.”
Parklife schemes normally receive 60 per cent of their funding from the FA, Premier League and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, with the rest coming from local sources.