Radcliffe launch Football Foundation

Radcliffe FC and Radcliffe Juniors FC will be represented on the Board of Trustees of the newly formed Foundation and are already working together to improve the lives of the Radcliffe community through sport.

As you may already be aware from our previous press release in March 2021 regarding plans for a 3G Football Hub, The Radcliffe Football Foundation is working in partnership with Bury Council, the National Football Foundation and The Lancashire FA on developing a funding application for a ‘state of the art’ 3G football facility in Radcliffe.

3G pitches are made up of synthetic grass filled with cushioning rubber as a performance infill. The surface allows for superior grip, smoother play, improved shock absorption and high-quality ball performance.

Studies are already under way at Redbank Playing Field to confirm its suitability to house the new facility. This project aims to create a full-sized 3G all-weather flood-lit pitch, additional car parking for the Juniors, Radcliffe FC and the local community with a new pavilion that will meet the latest FA standards.

Paul Hilton, Radcliffe FC Chairman, said" “The creation of the Radcliffe Football Foundation is the next step on our journey to deliver real outcomes for the people of Radcliffe.

"The pillars of the foundation are; The advancement of amateur sport, Personal wellbeing, Activity participation and Community sport.

"Radcliffe FC has a long and proud history as part of the non-league family of clubs in the Greater Manchester area, it’s fantastic to be working with the Council and partners on this exciting project.”

Bury Council has already set aside a total of £500,000 funding for the 3G pitch project and will seek additional funding from other partners too.

Cllr Alan Quinn of Bury Council, cabinet member for the environment, added: “This new facility subject to external funding will be a fantastic addition to the sporting landscape in Radcliffe, which we have major plans to improve as part of our significant multi-million-pound regeneration program for the town centre.

Radcliffe FC Secretary Matthew Jones added: “This project is a fantastic plan aimed not just for Radcliffe FC and the Juniors but for the whole of Radcliffe.

"A real opportunity to develop sport in our town, increase participation at all ages, be a community hub for the local area and increasing personal wellbeing and mental health through the power of sport.

"Having grown up in the town and still being a local resident, I’m delighted to have been asked to be on the board of trustees to help deliver this project for the future of sport in Radcliffe."

A Consultation with the local community will take place from April with plans for a public drop-in consultation event at the Neuven Stadium, where the master plan for Redbank playing fields will be available for local residents to view.