Northampton Town FC to open community pitch at Sixfields

The pitch will be open to the public when it is not being used by the club's community trust

A League One football club is set to open a "game-changer" community pitch in the shadow of its stadium.

Northampton Town FC Community Trust says the facility at Sixfields Stadium will be open to the public when it is launched on 11 November.

It is the club's prize for winning last year's More than Football Award.

The Europe-wide scheme honours the best social initiatives in the sport and the Cobblers were recognised for their work on a project to combat loneliness.

All weathers

The new pitch has been built behind the North Stand and its official opening is due to coincide with Northampton Town's community day event ahead of a league match with Burton Albion.

Phill Smith, chief executive of the trust, said: "It will be a game-changer for us.

"It gives us extra space and something new to offer as part of our community activities such as walking football.

"We want it to be a community asset and it will be floodlit so it can be used all year round."

The pitch is due to feature a synthetic surface and will be kitted out with the club's colours and crest.

Phill Smith (left) said the new pitch would be a community asset

The trust developed its Tackling Loneliness project during the first Covid-19 lockdown to support older fans who were at risk of experiencing isolation.

More than 1,200 people were contacted and it expanded to online quizzes and pen-pal schemes.

The project now provides activities and opportunities for people to get together in person.

The club's loneliness project has continued and expanded since it began in 2020