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Sandwell Council makes £6m fund bid to boost grassroots football

Grassroots football will get a big boost if a council bid to build two playing centres is accepted.

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Sandwell Council has submitted an 'expression of interest' to the Football Association and Sport England for funding to build two football centres costing £6 million.

Council leaders described the potential move as a 'fantastic opportunity' to provide a base for grassroots football in the borough.

The centres would be delivered under the scheme called Parklife Football Hubs, which is run by the FA, Sport England, the Premier League and local authorities.

The council is waiting to hear if it will be chosen for a scheme.

Councillor Richard Marshall, cabinet member for leisure, said: "The football hubs would provide a fantastic opportunity to secure a good base for people in the borough to get involved with football.

"We have ideas of where the hubs could be located. There would be one in the north of the borough and one in the south.

"Nothing has been agreed yet. We have put in an expression of interest to the FA and Sport England.

"It is down to the FA if they would like to move forward with the proposals. We will have to wait between eight to 12 months to hear back."

They would feature three artificial 3G pitches – that could be used all year round – alongside changing facilities.

A trust would have to be set up to run both hubs. It would also take responsibility for looking after the rest of Sandwell's pitches and developing grassroots football.

The trust would be run and funded by Sandwell Council, the FA, Sport England and West Bromwich Albion – who would be the representing body from the Premier League.

"It will help save the authority money. It costs a lot to maintain football pitches," said Councillor Marshall.

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