A grant of £522,000 has been awarded to create a world-class, artificial pitch
– The FA considers Enfield Playing Fields to be a key site for football development in the borough
– The Council is working with Enfield Town FC to help deliver a facility for all

Enfield Playing Fields will become the centre for grass-roots football development following the installation of a world-class, third-generation, artificial grass pitch.

Work has begun to install the pitch after Enfield Council was approached by the Football Association and awarded a grant of £522,000 from the charity Football Foundation.

Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Daniel Anderson, said: “Good quality facilities are vital in encouraging people to actively participate in sport.

“The 3G artificial grass pitch will enable the community to use this facility all-year round. It will add to the enjoyment of playing grass-roots sport and showcase Enfield Playing Fields, which is already much-loved and well-used by the community.

“We’d like to thank the Football Foundation for the grant and I look forward to welcoming all of Enfield to the pitch once it is completed later this Autumn.”

Enfield was approached by the FA as it had identified a lack of 3G pitches within the borough. The new site will help develop football in Enfield and supports the Council’s wider objectives of providing high-quality leisure activities to help people lead healthier lifestyles. It is all part of the growth, sustainability and building strong communities agenda.

The facility will be available to book by all residents and Enfield Council has already engaged with the existing users of Enfield Playing Fields. The location is home to Ignatians Rugby Football Club and Enfield Town Football Club. Enfield Town FC will be working with the Council to help deliver a football development plan that will increase youth, women’s and disability football in the Borough.

Enfield Town FC was formed in 2001 and is proudly the UK’s first supporter-owned club. The club has thrown its weight behind the project. Chairman Paul Reed commented: “We are incredibly excited to be having this facility on our doorstep and can’t wait to work with Enfield Council to enhance the borough’s growing reputation in football.

“Our aim is to increase accessibility to football and help make it a sport for all, and this project fits perfectly with our vision of being an inclusive club and a football and social centre for the community, with a range of teams playing at the highest sustainable levels possible.”

Third-Generation (3G) pitches are artificial, synthetic grass football surfaces that mimic as closely as possible the experience of playing on real grass. The enclosed pitch at Enfield Playing Fields will be floodlit and users will be able to access changing facilities, the café and other amenities at neighbouring QEII stadium. Work is set to be completed by the end of October.