Sefton Council is proudly backing a bid for funding that could see up to £250,000 invested in renovating Sandbrook Road Playing Fields. 

The Hightown Junior Football League is working with Liverpool County FA and Sefton Council to take on a long-term lease of the site, thanks to support from the Premier League, the Football Association (FA) and the Government’s Football Foundation.

Goal achieved

In July 2025, Hightown Junior Football League, the area’s main provider of junior football, 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, Hightown Junior Football League 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. 

They will also have the opportunity to apply for funding from the Foundation to improve the facilities at Sandbrook Road, including through new toilets, fencing, goalposts,  storage units, grounds maintenance machinery, and catering cabins. 

Grassroots youth football is on the rise in Sefton, with England’s back-to-back European Championship triumphs inspiring a new generation of girls to get involved.

"Truly exciting"

Councillor Mhairi Doyle, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “I am thrilled that Hightown Junior Football League has been entered into the Football Foundation’s Home Advantage programme. 

“This is a truly exciting time for young girls and boys to get involved in youth football, and having new, modern facilities at Sandbrook Road would be a huge boost. 

“As a Council, we’re committed to working with the league and with Liverpool County FA to make sure that any funding secured is used to transform the fortunes of the playing field.” 

Adam Phillips, Secretary of the Hightown Junior Football League said: “We’re so pleased to have been accepted onto the Home Advantage programme.  

“This funding could be a significant boost to our efforts to grow the game and give junior footballers in Sefton the best possible foundations. 

“It’s an especially exciting time for the growth of girls’ football in particular. We want to make the most of that and give young female footballers every opportunity to play and enjoy the game, so investment into Sandbrook Road Playing Fields could be a gamechanger.” 

League Chairman Steve Phillips added: “We believe that, with the suggested improvements, Sandbrook Road Playing Fields could become an important centre for junior football in Sefton. 

“The Football Foundation’s support and input have been invaluable, as has the backing from Sefton Council and Liverpool County FA.” 

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 Sandbrook Road 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.” 

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