Jack Freebury (left) with Les Ferdinand (right)
Former England and QPR legend Les Ferdinand has officially opened a new football centre in Hammersmith Park which has free pitches dedicated for use by local residents.
A community event featuring a five-a-side tournament was held on Sunday 13 March to mark the long-awaited opening of the PlayFootball centre in White City.
As well as an official ribbon-cutting with Ferdinand and Mayor of Hammersmith & Fulham, Cllr Mercy Umeh, representatives from QPR FC were on hand to help out with fun activities including a speed-shot station and football tennis.
“We are delighted that this great facility is now open,” said Cllr Guy Vincent, H&F Council’s Lead Member for Contracts.
“We hope the residents can make the most of these superb pitches and who knows, maybe they will help us produce the first White City Messi.”
The five-a-side competition featured teams from Trapstar FC, Shepherds Bush Utd, One Brotherhood, Al Ansur FC, Kokhob FC as well as teams of White City Residents in under 10s, under 12s, under 14s and adult categories.
The new publicly-owned community football facility is the first dedicated ‘3G’ turf five-a-side football centre in H&F.
The new facility includes a 10-pitch football centre, club house with changing facilities, a new café and toilets available to casual park users and a large number of cycle racks.
PlayFootball agreed with the council a seven-year management contract of the sports centre in place of the previous 35-year lease.
As part of the new deal, the council negotiated free access to three of the pitches for residents with low incomes living close to the centre, as well as a limited parking area and reduced operating hours.
To check if you are eligible for free access, pick up a flyer from White City Community Centre, Wood Lane Community Centre or check online.
