England star opens state-of-the-art 3G football pitch at Stockport School

England international Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who scored on his senior debut for the Three Lions in 2024, returned to his Stockport roots to open a brand-new 3G football pitch at his former school.

The state-of-the-art pitch at Stockport School is one of two new facilities worth a combined £2.4 million, funded in part by a £1.6 million investment from the Premier League, The FA, and Government’s Football Foundation.

Stockport Council has worked with partners to bring the pitches to fruition and has a successful track record of working with national, regional and local sporting bodies to bring new, high quality 3G pitches to locations across the borough.

For this project, the council partnered with the Football Foundation to ensure Stockport residents benefit from quality facilities as part of their Local Football Facility Plan for Stockport.

3G pitches are all-weather facilities, which can be used at any time of day for matches, recreational and small-sided football games as well as being used for training and coaching.

Cllr Dan Oliver, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Public Protection said:

“Football is in the hearts of many Stockport residents and locally we have produced some fantastic home-grown talent, such as Phil Foden, Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer, Khiara Keating, Millie Turner and Taylor Harwood-Bellis, a proud Stockport School alumnus.

“These players exemplify the incredible potential that we strive to create, and we are delighted to be part of this project to inspire future generations. Our work with partners seeks to enable active lives for everyone in our community and pitches like these will increase grassroots participation. Including for women and girls’ football, walking football for older people and football sessions for mental wellbeing. This continues a long-standing tradition in Stockport of football bringing our community together.”

The brand-new additions are available for community bookings outside of curriculum time and will help provide spaces for the boroughs ever increasing number of clubs wanting to play.

Stockport School Headteacher, Ian Irwin, said:

“We are absolutely thrilled to officially open our new 3G pitch. This fantastic facility will transform our sporting provision here at Stockport School, offering our students the opportunity to train and compete on a professional-grade surface. It reflects our vision of excellence in all aspects of school life, including physical education and wellbeing.”

“This investment also strengthens our commitment to the wider community, as the pitch will be available for local clubs and organisations to use outside of school hours. We’re proud to be playing our part in promoting sport, health, and engagement across Stockport.”

Peter Whitehead, Stockport School’s Head of P.E., added:

“These facilities will play a vital role in creating opportunities for our school and the local community to get active and have fun. At Stockport School we have club links with local clubs including Spurley Hey FC.”

Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government – to transform the quality of grassroots facilities in England by delivering projects like this across the country.

“Good quality playing facilities have a transformative impact on physical and mental health and play an important role in bringing people together and strengthening local communities.

“We’re delighted that the local community in Stockport will now be able to enjoy all these benefits thanks to the new 3G pitches at Stockport School and Reddish Vale School.”

Construction on both pitches is now complete ready in time for the 2025 Euros where the Lionesses will make another bid for glory.