We are requesting permission from Newham Council and seeking support from Ballymore and the Essex FA to develop an artificial football pitch with floodlights and supporting facilities at Lyle Park for Royal Wharf F.C.

Our History

Royal Wharf F.C. was established in 2021 as a grassroots football club with a vision to build a strong sense of community through sport. As the Royal Wharf development brought new life to the Docklands, we saw a growing need for a unifying presence – and football became that heartbeat.

What began with just three children training in Thames Barrier Park has since grown into a thriving club with over 350 players aged 3 to 18. To date, we’ve coached, mentored, and positively impacted more than 750 children from the local area. We proudly employ 20 coaches, all local to East London, and are currently mentoring four young boys from the community to become future coaches themselves.

 

 

 

 

However, as we approach the end of the 2024-25 season, Royal Wharf F.C. is facing a critical challenge – being made homeless and left with no facilities to train. Until now, we have trained at Kingsford Community School, but our bookings have been withdrawn for the upcoming season. Unfortunately, there are no alternative facilities in the area that can accommodate us. Without a place to train, we will be unable to continue delivering the vital service we provide to our community.

 

Our plans for Lyle Park

Lyle Park holds a long and proud history with football, serving as a community hub for the sport since as far back as the 1960s.

 

 

Over the decades, it has been home to several local football clubs and still features a grass pitch alongside a building that includes changing rooms and storage facilities.

 

 

 

 

However, the current facilities are no longer fit for purpose. The pitch lacks lighting, making it unsafe for after-school training during the darker autumn and winter months. The playing surface is uneven and becomes waterlogged in wet weather, with frequent flooding at the north end. The existing building is outdated and in disrepair, creating an unsuitable and unwelcoming environment for children.

To address these challenges, we propose replacing the existing grass pitch with a modern 3G (astroturf) or 4G (artificial turf) surface to allow for year-round use. The pitch would be equipped with floodlighting to ensure safe training during the winter evenings. Additionally, we plan to replace the current building with a sustainable, purpose-built facility designed to complement both the architecture of the surrounding Ballymore development and the natural setting of the park. The new facility would include changing rooms, toilets, and secure storage for equipment – creating a safe, inclusive, and modern space for the community.

 

 

 

Our vision

Royal Wharf F.C. is the beating heart of our community. Our goal is to transform Lyle Park into a vibrant, inclusive hub where local people of all ages can come together every day of the week. Based on our lived experience, we know there is a serious shortage of quality football facilities in the area. By revitalising Lyle Park, we aim to open these new facilities not just for our club, but for the wider community.

Our work goes far beyond football. We support the holistic development of children as young as 3 – helping them grow in confidence, develop socially, and feel a true sense of belonging. We provide mentorship and guidance to local young people, empowering them to become positive, productive members of society. We create employment opportunities, not just for coaches, but also for essential support staff. We offer free training for disadvantaged children, equipping them with valuable life skills for the future.

With upgraded facilities, Royal Wharf F.C. will be able to expand its impact even further. We plan to offer structured coaching to three local schools that currently lack sports infrastructure. We aim to introduce walking football for seniors, and provide BTEC qualifications to offer vocational pathways for young people interested in careers in sport and fitness.

We’re ready to take this next step. With your support, we can bring this vision to life and change our community for the better.