Grassroots football facility plotted next to Wham Stadium
Accrington Stanley Community Trust hopes to start work in spring 2027 on a £1.6m project at the Livingstone Road site, with both grass and all-weather surfaces planned.
ASCT said the proposed development will transform the site into a modern, high-quality grassroots football hub, featuring:
- A new full-size floodlit 3G artificial pitch
- A natural grass pitch
- On-site car parking
- A modular building including catering and toilet facilities
The project represents further significant investment in local infrastructure by ASCT, designed to enhance opportunities for grassroots football and wider community participation across the Accrington area.
Warren Eastham, chief executive of Accrington Stanley FC and trustee of ASCT, said: “Grassroots football is the very lifeblood of the entire football pyramid. When games are being called off week after week and leagues are disrupted because teams can’t complete fixtures, it highlights the urgent need for better facilities.
“That’s why this project is so important. The Football Foundation, our Community Trust, Hyndburn Borough Council and the grassroots game are all coming together with a shared purpose, to make a real, lasting difference for people across the borough.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing the plans come to life, getting children off their Xboxes and back out playing sport, where they belong. It’s also fantastic to see continued investment into the town from the Football Foundation, underlining their commitment to our community and the future of the game.”
ASCT is working with the Football Foundation to secure a substantial grant towards the construction costs, alongside ongoing collaboration with Hyndburn Council, with a formal planning application expected to be submitted in the coming months.
Current leaseholder, Accrington Football and Sports Club CIC, will vacate its existing lease to enable ASCT to secure a new long-term agreement on the site, a move that should provide the trust with the ability to unlock external funding.
The project will be delivered in partnership with the current tenant. Detailed designs are still being worked up, while the legal niceties of the transfer progress.
ASCT hoped that work can start next spring, reaching completion by late summer.
Martin Fearon, chief executive of Accrington Stanley Community Trust, said: “This is a hugely exciting development for both Accrington Stanley Community Trust and the local community.
“The Livingstone Road project represents a significant step forward in our long-term ambition to enhance local sports infrastructure and provide high-quality facilities that can support participation at all levels.”
League Tow club Stanley have been improving the set-up at the Wham Stadium in recent years, with a new facilities block added.
Craig Jenel, chairman of Accrington Football and Sports Club CIC, said of the Livingstone Road scheme: “We are proud to have played a role in developing football at Livingstone Road over many years, and we fully support these plans to take the site to the next level.
“Working alongside Accrington Stanley Community Trust, we believe this project will deliver a first-class facility for the local community and grassroots game. While stepping away from our current lease is a significant decision, it is the right one to ensure the long-term future and sustainability of the site.
“We look forward to continuing to work in partnership and supporting the success of this exciting new development.”
