From Wembley to Westfield

Sheffield & Hallamshire FA were delighted to have The FA Chairman David Bernstein visit the site of their proposed new home, a £4m community sports hub based on the playing fields of the former Westfield school in Mosborough.

The plans, which have recently been granted planning permission by Sheffield City Council, will provide facilities for football, rugby, and American football teams representing a huge increase on the teams that currently call the playing fields their home.

The Chairman said: “I think the site is absolutely fantastic, and, having had the pleasure of looking at the plans with people from the Sheffield & Hallamshire FA, I think the whole scheme is absolutely brilliant for both football and the whole community.

"Cuts in the budgets of local authorities means that sport has suffered. At a time like this, the Westfield project is needed as a facility, not only for football but for society in general.”

James Hope-Gill, Chief Executive of Sheffield & Hallamshire FA, said: “I would like thank David for coming to Sheffield to find out about the project. It was great to have The FA Chairman visit the site and meet some of the players from teams already using Westfield. He seemed very impressed with the plans and gave an assurance that he would support any funding applications to help us raise the capital needed to ensure that the project goes ahead.”

With Mosborough Girls taking on Wickersley Youth, the Chairman took some time out to take in some of the action and chat with parents and volunteers on the touchline.

It was then off to Handsworth Sport Club’s Oliver’s Mount ground where Mr Bernstein, who took up the role in January, was shown plans to further develop the site to allow the first-team to continue to grow.

Handsworth Sporting Club are somewhat a success story within the Sheffield & Hallamshire region, with 21 youth teams and two adult teams, offering a good mix of men’s and women’s football. The first-team, which was only formed in 2003 are now bordering on turning semi-professional.

Then it was onto Bramall Lane for the Chairman’s final visit of the day as Sheffield United overcame Carlisle United with a 1-0 win, courtesy of a first-half strike from Ched Evans.