New state-of-the-art football pitch opens in Sale

A new state-of-the-art all-weather football pitch has been officially opened in Sale.

© Trafford Council

The impressive full-size 3G pitch has been built for the community at Crossford Bridge on the pitch used previously by Old Altrinchamians FC.

Work on the pitch started in March this year and it has now been officially opened by Deputy Council Leader Cllr Cath Hynes, other senior representatives from Trafford Council, the Football Foundation and the Crossford Bridge Management Association (CBMA).

Young people from primary schools in the local area were the first to try out the pitch in a special opening day tournament.

To fund the building of the pitch, new pathways and cycling facilities, Trafford Council was successful in bidding for a £1m grant from the Premier League, The FA and the government’s Football Foundation.

The Council teamed up with the Football Foundation, Cheshire County FA and Crossford Bridge Management Association to provide the facility for the local community and residents were also consulted on the plans ahead of the start of the work.  

The legacy of the Women’s Euros in 2022 resulted in a huge increase in girls' and women’s teams across Trafford leading to a demand for more 3G pitches.

Trafford Council is committed to supporting health and wellbeing across the borough and has made giving children the best start in life a major priority. 

Cllr Cath Hynes, Trafford Council’s Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Leisure, Arts, Culture and Heritage, said: “Everyone at Trafford Council is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of residents across the borough. This development also supports our corporate plan priority around culture, sport and heritage for everyone.

“The opening of this amazing new 3G pitch is a huge boost for the community and local football teams in the area. Thank you to everyone involved in making this happen – it is absolutely brilliant and I’m hoping we will see the next top footballers train on this very surface.” 

A spokesperson for the Crossford Bridge Management Association (CBMA) said: “It has been a long-term ambition of the Crossford Bridge Management Association to have a floodlit 3G pitch on the sports ground here in Sale. We are grateful to the Football Foundation and Trafford Council for their much-appreciated support in bringing this long-running project to a successful completion. The pitch will provide substantial benefits both for the resident clubs and other members of the local community.”

A spokesperson for Cheshire FA said: “We’re very excited to see the opening of the 3G pitch at Crossford Bridge. This much-needed facility will greatly enhance training and match play opportunities for local clubs as well as providing opportunity to further grow women and girls football in the area. A huge thank you to Trafford Council, the Crossford Bridge Management Association, and the Football Foundation for making this project a reality.”

Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government – to transform the quality of grassroots facilities in England by delivering projects like this across the country. 

“Good quality playing facilities have a transformative impact on physical and mental health and play an important role in bringing people together and strengthening local communities. We’re delighted that the local community in Sale will now be able to enjoy all these benefits thanks to the new 3G pitch at Crossford Bridge.” 

📍Crossford Bridge, Danefield Road, Sale, M33 7WR