Workplace Football League

Having been successful in securing funding from the FA’s small sided football grant, Sunderland City Council in partnership with The FA are launching a new 5 a side football opportunity for local businesses. The league will be hosted at Houghton Sports Centre’s brand new 3rd Generation synthetic pitch. 

The league has been subsidised by Sunderland City Council who will pay all FA affiliation costs to offer workplaces the perfect opportunity to enter a league format at a minimum cost. The league will be fully affiliated to Durham County FA and games will be officiated by qualified referees.

The Sunderland Council Business 5 Aside League is scheduled to run every Tuesday evening for 14 weeks beginning on Tuesday September 6th with the final round of games to take place on Tuesday 6th December. Each game will be scheduled to last for 26 minutes (2 x 13 minute halves) and teams will be invited to continue for a second season after Christmas. All league tables and fixtures will be available online through The FA’s dedicated league website “Full-Time”, so teams can track their progress in the league as well as check up on upcoming fixtures. 

As a bonus, each team who enters will be invited to play in a one off tournament free of charge on Saturday 3rd September. This tournament will mark the official opening of the facility.

Following the seasons climax the winning team will be presented with the Houghton 5 a Side trophy to be defended the following season. Companies are not restricted as to how many departments or teams they wish to enter. A full list of league rules will be sent out upon receipt of the team’s application.

For all enquiries or to enter your team(s) please do not hesitate to contact Simon Wardle on 0191 561 4598 or email simon.wardle@sunderland.gov.uk 

Houghton Sports Centre's New 3G Pitch

The sports pitch provides either 2 x 5 a side courts or alternatively the whole pitch can be booked to provide a 7 a side facility. As they are currently undergoing refurbishment of the changing facilities at Houghton and will not have changing facilities available until October this year, they are providing courts at a special introductory price of £25 for peak time bookings. This special offer will remain in place up until changing facilities are available, at which point the pricing policy will be that detailed below. 

Standard charges are as follows

Peak Time Rates

5 a side court - £32 per hr 
7 a side court - £64 per hr

Off Peak

5 a side court - £20
7 a side court - £40

Football Clubs affiliated to the Durham FA with appropriate insurances can make further savings on the standard charge when undertaking a block booking (minimum of 10 consecutive bookings). Clubs meeting these criteria will be eligible for VAT free bookings.

Please feel free to call into the centre at any time to view the facilities or telephone 0191 5536465 for a booking enquiry.