A major expansion of football facilities responsible for creating North East sporting greats is in danger of being scrapped after significant opposition from locals. 

The Russell Foster Youth Leagues currently hosts about 23,000 young players at five venues in the North East, which are presently headquartered at a purpose-built £2m site at Newbottle, near Houghton-le-Spring.

A 35-acre former equestrian centre at nearby Leamside has been identified as the desired location but the applicant will have to overcome a significant backlash from locals for its proposal to be given the green light. 

The league was formed in 1975 to provide a platform and football facilities for young people across the region, and has been the launchpad for dozens of North East footballing greats including Paul Gascoigne, Jordan Henderson, and Stewart Downing. The league currently has 434 teams competing in 37 divisions covering ages 8-17. 

The Northern Echo: A 35-acre former equestrian centre at nearby Leamside has been identified as the desired locationA 35-acre former equestrian centre at nearby Leamside has been identified as the desired location (Image: The Northern Echo)

The new site would include more on-site parking and an undercover facility with space for three youth football pitches and the ability to host other sports, while also widening a nearby access road.

The centre would be in operation and staffed all week, with the most popular days being the weekend. There will be no floodlights adjacent to the outdoor pitches however, meaning all winter evening coaching sessions would be inside. 

The Northern Echo: Drawings for the site have been updated since the proposal was initially submitted Drawings for the site have been updated since the proposal was initially submitted (Image: The Northern Echo)

The proposal has been revised since it was initially submitted in April 2021 but residents continue to play down the need for the huge facility. Many also questioned whether the proposed relocation from Newbottle to Leamside is actually needed, and have concerns over access roads - the nearby A690 Rainton Gate junction was the site of a fatal crash in July. 

The site’s rural location means access by any mode other than the private car is challenging, but car-sharing is encouraged to stem the number of vehicles travelling in the surrounding area to the facility.

Local MP Mary Kelly Foy admitted she has ‘serious concerns’ about the proposal. “The effects of allowing such a scheme will ripple out through West Rainton and the surrounding road network," she said. 

Objectors also warned of flying footballs leaving the boundary of the facility and causing a hazard to motorists on the nearby A1(M) motorway. The applicant conducted a sophisticated trajectory model to predict the flight of the balls, which concluded there was low risk of balls flying over fences and onto the road. A report said “the large distances between the pitches and the A1(M) highway already provides sufficient trajectory risk mitigation”.

Residents continue to submit objections to the proposal. Councillors on West Rainton and Leamside Parish Council have now submitted four letters of objection despite changes to the plans. One letter from resident Peter Mcdermott says: “Not one of the local residents would be able to avail themselves of the facility given the local demographic of the Leamside population. It is generally an elderly community certainly too elderly to take part in football!!”

The Northern Echo: Founder of The Russell Foster Tyne and Wear Youth Leagues, Russell FosterFounder of The Russell Foster Tyne and Wear Youth Leagues, Russell Foster (Image: The Northern Echo)

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