Soccer City goes nationwide after Mayfield success

By SCOTT THOMSON
Published on 30/01/2013 12:00

A RECENTLY-OPENED indoor football complex in Midlothian is proving such a success that its owners are planning to open more centres across Scotland.

Soccer City, which opened in Mayfield in November, offers customers five 5-a-side pitches and one 7-a-side pitch. An outdoor sevens pitch with roof protection is also due to be built this summer.

Thanks to the recent success, bosses at the complex have plans to expand their business.

Facility manager Craig Meikle revealed: “We have already earmarked another two or three sites for expansion.

“Once we get fully up and running at Mayfield we have a goal to become the biggest supplier of indoor football in Scotland.”

The complex has benefited greatly from the recent cold snap as youth and amateur football teams searched for training facilities after local grass pitches were deemed unplayable.

Meikle, also manager of Junior side Penicuik Athletic, added: “Things have been a lot busier. We have been turning people away because it has been fully booked.”

The Soccer City project has been planned meticulously over the last few years by two local businessmen who identified the need for a 5-a-side centre due to the lack of facilities in the area. Initially, plans were to open in March last year, but problems arose which put the whole project in doubt. “We ran into difficulties through the construction phase when money we were promised was never received,” added Meikle.

“We had a contract with a company to make the pitches but they were bought over by another company who were unwilling to honour the contract. Altogether we had pumped £350,000 into the project and it looked to be in jeopardy in the summer, but we stuck with it.”

For more information www.soccercitygroup.co.uk or call 0131 660 6969.