Birtley Town Football Club is working with Gateshead Council to take on a long-term lease of Birtley Sports Complex Playing Fields, thanks to support from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation. 

The club have occupied the site since the early 2000s, when Birtley Town Football Club (FC) merged with Birtley St Joseph’s Juniors, making Birtley Sports Complex the home for teams of all ages. Over the last 20 years, the club has expanded to 35 Junior teams and five senior sides, providing full pathways for Male and Female sections, as well as a growing provision for disabled players.

In May, Birtley Town FC were accepted onto the Football Foundation’s Home Advantage Programme, which aims to support grassroots clubs and organisations across the country to take on long-term leases or licences of the sites they play at. 

As part of this programme, Birtley Town FC will have access to guidance and support from the Foundation and the FA, as well as legal advice to help make the transfer process as easy as possible. 

The football club can also apply for funding from the Foundation to improve the facilities at Birtley Sports Complex Playing Fields, which will allow Birtley Town FC to generate their own income. This could include security fencing, storage units, grounds maintenance machinery, and catering cabins. 

Having a permanent home will enable Birtley Town FC to not only cement their place in the community, but also to give the club security for the future. This project gives the club a platform to be able to meet their long-term objectives and continue to be a key part of the local community.  

Councillor Angela Douglas, cabinet member for Culture, Sport and Tourism at Gateshead Council, said:  “We’re delighted to be able to work with Birtley Town Football Club on a long-term lease, thanks to this funding and support programme.  Birtley Town Football Club to make Birtley Sports Complex Playing Fields their permanent home.

“By ensuring Birtley Town FC has a permanent home, their offer can continue to grow, and even more residents will benefit from being part of a club that brings communities together on and off the pitch.”

Dan McElhoe, Facilities & Investment Officer, Durham FA, said: “Durham County FA are delighted to support Birtley Town in taking on this community asset transfer through the Football Foundation’s Home Advantage Programme. This will secure the club’s long-term future on the site and allow the club to keep providing excellent football opportunities for their members and the local community.”

Robert Sullivan, CEO of the Football Foundation, said: “The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government – to unlock the power of pitches for more grassroots clubs and enable them to take pride and ownership in the place they call home.  

“Through our Home Advantage Programme, the Foundation plans to provide the support and funding needed to transfer of over 1,750 grass football pitches like the ones at Birtley Sports Complex Playing Fields from local authorities to grassroots clubs and organisations across the country. As well as a higher chance of success on the pitch, home grounds provide a space for people to come together through sport and help strengthen communities based on a shared sense of belonging.” 

Steve Minto & Paul Beat, Birtley Town Football Club, added:  “Birtley Town Football Club would like to thank Frank Bell, FA Club Consultant, the Football Foundation, Durham FA, and Jayne Geary at Gateshead Council for their invaluable support in helping the club reach this milestone. Securing a permanent home is not only a game changer for the club, but also a huge step towards making Birtley Sports Complex a true community hub – a place where football and wider community activity can thrive for generations to come.”

To find out more about the programme, visit the Foundation’s website: https://footballfoundation.org.uk/grant/home-advantage-programme