Supported by OnSide North West, a charity developing 21st century youth facilities, Thornton Sports has constructed a 5-a-side football pitch for Oldham Youth Zone.

The company built the pitch working with main contractors, Eric Wright Construction. The contracted works for the overall installation included a geotextile membrane layer, perimeter drain, 150mm x 50mm kerb edgings, 150mm of 'Type 1X' stone sub base, 65mm of macadam, 15mm in-situ rubber shockpad and SoccerTurf™ 50M 3rd generation synthetic grass.

As a finishing touch, Thornton also installed a 4m-high fence including 1.2m rebound panel and roofnet to fully enclose the area of play. Raised height fenceposts on which floodlight lamps can be installed were incorporated into the fence to ensure the facility can be illuminated to maximise evening usage.

The facility opened on 17 March.