A COMPANY recruited to help the East Lancashire Football Development Association believe succcess at a local level could see it adopted on a national scale.

Sporting Assets Ltd is working with the ELFDA on ways of attracting funding to improve facilities while also looking in to the possibility of taking ownership of playing fields in the area.

This would be done via a Community Asset Transfer - a scheme where the ownership of land and buildings is shifted from public bodies to communities.

The London-based company is in the process of carrying out a feasibility study in partnership with Blackburn with Darwen Council, Lancashire FA, Rovers Supporters’ Trust and the East Lancashire Football Development Association.

It is something the football community on a whole will be monitoring closely.

“It is project with wider relevance as, if successful; it has the potential for replication nationally,” said Tom Hall from Sporting Assets.

“Many local authorities are struggling to maintain subsidies leading to increasing costs for pitch hire, putting some clubs at risk.

“If the feasibility study identifies how a public sector liability can be a community asset, then the study may provide learning and innovations for playing fields and sports facilities throughout the United Kingdom.”

Sporting Assets will also advice on any facility developments required to improve sustainability, as well as helping to secure revenue funding to increase sports participation and community engagement.