Sports hub expected to make ‘transformative impact’ following £3m investment

Footballing legend Gordon Banks has been honoured in his home-town of Sheffield, with a multi-million pound hub unveiled in his name.

The long-standing football site on Woodbourn Road in Darnall, Sheffield has had a revamp thanks to a £2.1m grant from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation and an additional £900,000 in partnership funding from Sheffield City Council.

The community now has access to multiple floodlit pitches, and a refurbished pavilion building, which provides changing facilities and a social space that hosts a cafe and meeting room.

Chris Barry, head of technical at the Football Foundation, said: “This fantastic new community hub will not only provide great places to play but also a great space for the local community to come together.

“Funding from the Premier League, The FA and Government through Sport England, as well as Sheffield City Council, has played a vital role in making this project a reality.

“Thanks to their investment, this facility will have a transformative impact on the local community, supporting their physical and mental health, bringing them together and benefiting the local economy.”

The Gordon Banks Sports Hub at joins three other Foundation-funded hub sites in the city – Graves, Thorncliffe and Westfield.

All these sites are operated by Leisure United, the charity operator of the National Football Trust, which will re-invest any surplus revenue generated at the sites back into grassroots sport across the city.

Councillor Kurtis Crossland, chair of the Communities, Parks and Leisure Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “Sheffield has a proud heritage as the Outdoor City and as the City of Sport, and the city’s range and quality of greenspaces, as well as sport and leisure facilities, play a key part in this.

“Our ambitions for Sheffield are to have facilities, activities and services, which are modern, welcoming, inclusive and meet the needs of everybody in Sheffield – encouraging more people to be more active, more often.

“The refurbishment of these pitches and the pavilion at the all-new Gordon Banks Sports Hub, takes us a step closer to achieving these goals for the city.

“I believe these new improvements will have a massive impact to the community, allowing people to play football in top quality facilities alongside an exciting programme of sessions run by experienced organisations.”

Abdul Malik, Darnall Education and Sports Academy (DESA), added: “The new facility will give DESA access to top-notch facilities and resources.

“Together, we aspire to build a vibrant and inclusive footballing community that fosters personal growth, skill development, and a sense of belonging for individuals from all backgrounds.

“This project represents a significant milestone in our ongoing mission to promote physical well-being and inspire our local community.”