Our Mission

It is the Mission of The Sir Tom Finney Preston Soccer Centre to:

Provide Football Coaching to children, young people and youth players from all communities across the City of Preston in a safe, fun and controlled environment - regardless of ability, disability, sex, colour, race or religious belief.

To provide ongoing Professional Coach Education and Developmental Training for people over the age of 12 who wish to become involved with Youth Development, Soccer Coaching and Community Development.

To assist the young people in developing their life skills by enhancing their multi-cultural awareness, self-discipline, and team spirit.

To abide by the rules, guidelines, and code of conduct of the Football Association for Youth Development and Mini Soccer.

To provide an opportunity for all to enjoy football – regardless of ability.

Peter Mason

Chair of the Sir Tom Finney Preston Soccer Centre
FA Charter Standard Club & Registered Children’s Charity

What We Do

One of the largest and most successful Community Development Projects in Lancashire, The Sir Tom Finney Preston Soccer Centre has worked for the last 18 years to positively benefit the community of Preston.

We deliver high quality, professional football coaching to a wide range of community groups across Preston including:

Due to the inclusive nature, demand and continual need for volunteers, the Soccer Centre actively recruits adult volunteers from a diverse background and then develops those individuals at the Soccer Centre’s cost to become qualified coaches, managers or admin volunteers. The volunteers in turn give up their time in any or several of the above activities.

As a Community Hub Club in partnership with LFA, BUCS and UCLAN we provide the opportunities for students from UCLAN aged 18 to 25 years and students from Preston College aged 16 to 18years, to receive practical work experience at the Soccer Centre or with our competitive teams. They in turn will have any further coach education qualifications provided by the Sir Tom Finney Preston Soccer Centre.

Football Coaching to able-bodied children, male or female, ages 4-16, of any ability - beginner to advanced. There is a charge of £4 on the day for those who can afford to pay. Those players from disadvantaged backgrounds or who are referred to us by children’s organisations or Lancashire Police receive either free or subsidised places.

We are the home of the Lancashire Centre of Excellence for Disability Soccer and provide coaching to disabled children and adults. We are able to provide free disability football coaching on a Saturday morning for ages 4-16 years.

Our Young Coaches Scheme provides the opportunity for participants between the ages of 12-16 to be mentored and gain experience and knowledge in partnership with the Lancashire FA in order that they can obtain relevant coaching qualifications. All expense and fees are covered by the Soccer Centre in return for them volunteering their time.

The provision of competitive football for young people, adult males and adult ladies in local LFA Affiliated Football Leagues through the Sir Tom Finney Football Club.

We host a large and successful annual football tournament, The Sir Tom Finney Youth Football Festival and Tournament with over 85 teams and 500 children attending.

School Holiday courses – we run subsidised coaching courses throughout the school holidays, providing a safe, fun and educational environment to keep little ones occupied!

We provide football coaching for approximately 25 refugees/asylum seekers who are housed in Preston and are aged between 20 and 52. This is provided free of charge.

Awards and Recognition

2015

Peter Mason, awarded the British Empire Medal for Services to Amateur Sport, 2015
Kathleen Mason, National McDonalds Volunteer of the Year Award, 2015 (Winner)

2016

The Sir Tom Finney Preston Soccer Centre - Community Club of the year, Preston Sports Awards, 2016 (Winners)
Kathleen Mason, Adult Volunteer of the Year, Preston Sports Awards and Lancashire Sports Awards 2016 (Winner x 2)
The Sir Tom Finney FC ladies, Team of the Year, Preston Sports Awards, 2016 (Winner)

2017

Nathan Noblett, Young Volunteer of the Year, Preston Sports Awards and Lancashire Sports Awards, 2017 (Winner and Highly Commended)
Faisal Member, Services to Disability Sport, Preston Sports Awards and Lancashire Sports Awards, 2017 (Winner x 2)

2018

Michael Johnson, Volunteer of the year over 24, Preston Sports Awards 2018
Addil Masters, Highly Commended, Volunteer of The Year under 24, Preston Sports Awards 2018
England FA nomination for UEFA Club of the Year
The FA and McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards 2018, Charter Standard Club of the Year
The FA and McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards 2018, Faisal Member Coach of the Year
Michael Johnson, Highly Commended, volunteer over 24, Lancashire Sports Awards 2018

2019

The Sir Tom Finney Preston Soccer Centre & Sir Tom Finney FC - Community Club Of The Year 2019, Preston Sports Awards (Winners)
Darryl McNicholl, Sport For All, Preston Sports Awards 2019 (Winner)
Laura Rushton, Volunteer over 24, Preston Sports Awards 2019(Winner)
Zuleikha Chikh, Volunteer under 24, Preston Sports Awards 2019, (Winner)

Our History

1999

Originally set up in 1999, the whole ethos of the charity was to get children off the streets on a Saturday morning and give them somewhere to go but the Charity has grown significantly and widely expanded its remit. Working with the Police, Football Association, professional teams such as Everton FC, children and young people’s groups, local councils and an ever-growing network of schools and nurseries, The Preston Soccer Centre has been able to offer its services to a huge range of children and adults.

2005

Sir Tom Finney becoming our President in 2005 and we become the Sir Tom Finney Preston Soccer Centre.

2006

The introduction of the Young Coaches development scheme. The charity saw scope to provide young people, from the age of 14, with a skill which they would be able to utilise as a career opportunity by providing them with their Level 1 and Level 2 FA Coaching qualifications.

2007

Originally offering football coaching to able-bodied children aged 5-16, the charity expanded in 2007 and began offering disability football for 4-16 year olds.

2013

Added provision to include coaching for disabled adults.

2014

During 2014 the Sir Tom Finney Preston Soccer Centre developed the Sir Tom Finney Football Club and entered teams in local leagues and regional competitions. The football club provides the opportunity for able-bodied and disabled children and adults to play competitive football, none of whom were participating in competitive sport prior to this.

2015

First adult disability teams entered into local affiliated disability leagues

Contact Us

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