Street League football coach in pitch for funding

Published: 18 March 2010
by STEVE BARNETT

HOPEFUL football coach Jack Harrison is searching for backers to step forward and help raise the final funds needed to restore a pitch in the heart of King’s Cross. 

On Saturday during the peak hours of a bright afternoon all that could be found on the pitch at the Calthorpe Project in Gray’s Inn Road were three pigeons and a huge tear in the artificial turf that even a player with the quickest feet would have struggled to avoid. 

It was a dismal sight, and one that Street League coach Mr Harrison is determined to change by introducing the first outdoor Futsal facility in the country. 

Futsal, which originated in South America, is a type of football played with a smaller, heavier, ball and focuses more on skill. 

Mr Harrison is confident it’s just what is needed to bring youngsters flocking back to the Calthorpe Project, providing he can get a pitch in place. “Working as a football coach in some of the poorest parts of London has shown me the unique ability of the sport to foster community cohesion and encourage personal development. 

“I have become determined to see the Calthorpe pitch refurbished and functioning at the heart of the project. 

“It’s sad that the pitch isn’t up and running. I hope that someone will recognise the need to restore it and give it back the community.” 

Overall the project will cost £69,000, and the good news is that Mr Harrison has already secured almost 75 per cent of the money needed to restore the dilapidated pitch. 

In December the London Marathon Trust awarded the project £46,300, with another £5,000 coming from the Annette Duvollet Charitable Trust. 

The consultancy firm Capita Symonds has also offered its support in advising and overseeing the building of the pitch. Mr Harrison added: “With £19,000 still needed for the renovation we are hoping to find supporters within the local community.”

Anyone interested in funding the project should contact jack.harrison@streetleague.co.uk for details.