We are working hard with our site partners TD Shipley FC to improve the quality and drainage of all three of our playing surfaces. These are the main pitch, the walking football pitch and the new junior football pitch, which will also double up from the summer of 2018 onwards as a training zone for all standards of football.
TD Shipley FC has recently acquired a new slitter and a drag mat to add to our impressive list of equipment used to regularly maintain the pitches. In 2018 we are resting the main pitch for over 8 weeks from end-May as we install new drainage channels into the surrounding ditches and upgrade the quality of the grass and subsurface.
The walking football area is being worked on through February and March to get it ready for action. New ball retention/ netting systems are being installed in both areas during February and March.
The new Junior pitch is opening up in June 2018 following extensive seeding, fertilising and overdressing taking place during the Spring. New fences and netting are also being installed at the same time while benches for parents are also being built by our Men’s Shed team to enhance the experience of those watching their youngsters run around. We anticipate at least two junior teams will be using the new junior 9 vs 9 and 5 a-side pitch areas.
We will soon be calling for all of our members to help out with all of the above! We are proud to be bucking the trends as our district deals with a growing shortage of good football facilities for our youngsters.