A NEW football pitch, paid for in part from compensation for knocking down Northwich Victoria’s old ground, is being used by children from grassroots teams.

The 3G (third generation) artificial surface at Moss Farm outdoor sports complex, which has cost £600,000 to lay, was opened by Cheshire FA last week.

Officials say hundreds of footballers, junior and senior, will train on it all year round.

“The loss of the Victoria Stadium was a blow to football in the town,” said Simon Gerrard, chief executive for the county governing body.

“But I’m delighted compensation from the sale of the ground has been used to develop a facility that will bring multiple benefits for the community.”

The pitch, which has floodlights alongside, is behind Cheshire FA’s headquarters next to the former swimming pool building.

A grant from the Premier League and FA Facilities Fund, worth £270,000, has helped cover the cost.

Landowners Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC), Cheshire FA and Thor Specialities (UK) between them footed the rest of the bill.

The chemicals manufacturer agreed to pay compensation to the council two years ago in return for redeveloping a nine-acre site in Wincham upon which Vics’ stadium – itself only completed in 2005 – was situated.

“I commend Simon’s tenacity for ensuring football did not lose out when the Victoria Stadium was closed,” said Kelly Simmons, director for participation and development at the FA.

“More facilities for grassroots football is precisely what we want to achieve.”

In 2013 the council announced a £1m scheme to build two new 3G pitches; one at Moss Farm and the other at Hartford Campus.

The contribution from Thor, totalling £530,000, was set aside to cover half of the cost.

The pitch at Hartford, which will be subject to a shared-use agreement between Hartford Church of England High School and Mid-Cheshire College, received planning permission in February.

Conditions attached to that have since been adjusted to allow the floodlights there to stay switched on until 10pm, between August 1 and May 31, for a two-year trial period.

The playing surface will be laid between two buildings that make up the high school.

Gerrard said: “There was a real strategic need for two pitches to be built in the area and, thanks to the support of the Football Foundation and the Premier League and FA Facilities Fund, more than 250 local teams will have access to first-class training facilities once the second one is ready.”

He was joined at Moss Farm by Cllr Louise Gittins, CWaC cabinet member for culture, leisure and wellbeing.

She said: “I’m sure this facility will prove popular among clubs and community groups, and it will complement the new indoor sports provision at Memorial Court in Northwich town centre.”