Penistone Church FC
One Club. One Community
Penistone Church FC – Our Town, Our Community, Our Future
A once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring major sporting investment to Penistone
Brand new 3G Astro as our main pitch
Penistone Church Football Club is calling on the local community to have its say on ambitious plans that could bring a major new all-weather sporting facility to the town, creating opportunities for thousands of local people and future generations.
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As the club celebrates its 120th anniversary in 2026, it is looking firmly towards the future with proposals to replace its existing main grass football pitch with a modern, full-size synthetic turf pitch at the Simply Log Cabins Memorial Ground on Church View Road.
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But this project is about much more than football.
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​It represents an opportunity for Penistone to benefit from significant investment in grassroots sport, improved community facilities and greater opportunities for children, young people and adults to participate in physical activity throughout the year.
A major opportunity for Penistone
The proposed development is being progressed through collaboration involving Penistone Church FC, the Football Foundation, Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA and local authorities.
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The message is simple: Penistone has an opportunity to benefit from a facility that could serve the town for decades, and we want the whole community to be part of that future.
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More than 37 teams – and a growing community
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Founded in 1906, Penistone Church FC has grown into one of the area's largest grassroots football organisations, spanning junior boys' and girls' football, senior men's and women's football, and hundreds of local families involved every week.
Inclusive opportunities for all the community
Demand for training and playing facilities continues to increase, while poor weather and waterlogged grass pitches can result in cancelled matches, disrupted training and lost opportunities for participation.
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A modern all-weather pitch would provide a more reliable playing surface throughout the year, allowing the club to accommodate growing demand while making additional opportunities available to the wider community.
A facility for everyone, not just Penistone Church FC
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One of the most important ambitions behind the project is to ensure the benefits extend well beyond the club's existing teams.
The proposed facility could create opportunities for local schools, other grassroots clubs, community organisations and residents who want to become more active.
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The club is also keen to develop inclusive football opportunities, including teams and activities for people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and disabled players.
The next lioness from Penistone!
We want more children to have the opportunity to play football, more girls and women to participate in sport, and more people of all abilities to feel welcome and included.
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Football brings people together. It creates friendships, supports physical and mental wellbeing, builds confidence and gives young people a positive environment in which to develop.
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Our ambition is to create a facility that belongs at the heart of the community, with benefits reaching far beyond the touchlines.
Listening to the community and addressing car parking - providing a hugely increased 112 spaces
The club recognises that improvements to sporting facilities must also consider the impact on neighbouring residents and the surrounding area.
An important part of the planning proposals is the removal of the existing smaller AstroTurf area to provide significantly additional on-site parking.
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The club has been working to address parking requirements, with the proposed plans providing 112 spaces against a stated requirement of 80.
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The club wants to work constructively with residents throughout the planning process and recognises the importance of considering concerns alongside the potential benefits.
Proud of our community club.
Investing in our future
Generations of local families have played, volunteered, coached and supported the club, creating friendships and memories that last a lifetime.
As we celebrate this important anniversary, we believe the greatest way to honour that history is to invest in the next generation.
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This project is not about making the club bigger for the sake of it. It is about recognising our responsibility to the community, responding to growing demand and helping ensure that local people have access to sporting opportunities close to home.
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Without improved facilities, increasing numbers of young players could face limited opportunities or the need to travel further afield to participate in sport.
We believe Penistone deserves the opportunity to develop facilities that match the enthusiasm, commitment and sporting ambition of its community.
Have your say on Penistone Church Football Clubs Future - Please Support Us
A planning application has been submitted to Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, and the club is encouraging local residents, parents, businesses, community groups and everyone with an interest in the town's future to view the proposals and share their views.
Planning application reference: 2026/0911
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The full application can be viewed here.
Comments submitted directly through the Barnsley Council Planning Portal here.
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We encourage everyone to look at the proposals, consider the potential benefits and share their own views before the consultation closes.
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You can also e-mail us directly at commercial@penistonechurchfc.com and we are of course more than happy to invite people to the club and discuss our plans.
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With the involvement of our partners and the support of the wider community, we have an opportunity to help shape sporting provision in Penistone for many years to come.
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This is more than a football pitch. It is an opportunity to invest in our town, our young people and our community's future.
Penistone Church Football Club – Established 1906.
Proud of our community club. Investing in our future.
