As part of the Russell Foster football centre development CLS Sports were appointed to construct 21 grass pitches on the 80-acre site in Newbottle, Houghton-le-Spring.

The project started with a thorough site clearance of what was originally woodland.  This included the grubbing out of all tree stumps and roots and a full herbicide application.

Ensuring the ground conditions were suitable, the topsoil was then stripped and stored for future use. Over 31,400m³ were then cut and filled to form the multi-tiered pitches. The retained topsoil was then spread and evenly graded across the subsoil formation.

Over 25,000m of lateral drainage was then installed before sand-spreading, over-seeding and a fertiliser application were carried out.

Former England and West Ham midfielder, Sir Trevor Brooking opened the Russell Foster Football Centre. Sir Trevor said: “This is a wonderful facility and one that The Russell Foster Tyne and Wear Youth League and the local community should be very proud of.”

The league, founded in 1975, now has around 14,000 active members, making it the largest youth league anywhere in the country.