SUFFOLK Football Association has pledged to do all it can to maintain Gainsborough Sports Centre as a major football outlet.A consultancy company is currently investigating a potential relocation of Holywells Schools to the Gainsborough site.

Elvin King

SUFFOLK Football Association has pledged to do all it can to maintain Gainsborough Sports Centre as a major football outlet.

A consultancy company is currently investigating a potential relocation of Holywells Schools to the Gainsborough site. And it has been reported that the wider leisure needs for Ipswich are also being looked at.

Suffolk FA and FA representatives have met with Suffolk County Council's Building Schools for the Future Team, consultants Pmpgenesis and Sport England.

Clarifying their position on any possible development of Gainsborough, Suffolk FA have confirmed that they want the interests of the current users to be maintained.

A statement said: “The service to users is currently very good, providing sufficient pitches, easy booking systems, good car parking and changing provision. Any proposed development would need to ensure that all of these elements are maintained.

“The existing facilities must be enhanced by any project, for example by the addition of a second pitch for training.

“Suffolk FA will not consider acceptable, the option of existing users being moved on to alternative sites unless this is part of an agreed and funded process with the clubs involved.

“Suffolk FA will remain close to the football users (the clubs and leagues), and will work with the FA and Sport England to ensure that football's interests are maintained irrespective of any development on the site.”

Gainsborough has proved a key site for football not only in Ipswich but in Suffolk and the original project was supported by Football Foundation funding.