Region
Mabley Green’s new chapter for community football in East London
For many players in East London, Mabley Green is more than just a football venue. It is where teams train on cold winter evenings, where young players develop their skills, and where local communities come together through sport.
As one of Hackney’s most heavily used football facilities, the site has supported grassroots football for years. However, with intensive use comes inevitable wear, and the time had come to invest in the future of the facility.
Working alongside the London Borough of Hackney, the refurbishment project aims to transform both existing 3G pitches into modern, durable playing surfaces that will continue to serve the local community for many years to come.
Built for the demands of modern football
In Mabley Green Blakedown Sport & Play began with the complete reconstruction of the existing pitch, removing the worn synthetic surface and shockpad before installing a brand-new performance system.
At the heart of the upgrade is the Edel Flashblade 60-14 football system. Designed for competitive football environments, our Flashblade system combines durability, resilience and consistent playing performance, making it particularly suited to facilities that experience high levels of community use. Its distinctive flash-shaped yarn helps the fibres remain upright under intensive play, while the field and lime green colour combination creates a natural-looking appearance that enhances the overall aesthetic of the pitch.
The new system has been installed on a new shockpad foundation, creating a surface that delivers comfort underfoot, reliable ball behaviour and year-round playability. The Flashblade range is designed to meet FIFA performance requirements and is widely used on community, academy and competition-level football facilities around the wor
More than a pitch upgrade
For Hackney, this project is about far more than replacing synthetic turf.
Accessible, high-quality sports facilities play a vital role in encouraging participation, supporting local clubs and creating opportunities for people of all ages to stay active. By investing in modern football infrastructure, the borough is helping ensure that community football can continue to thrive in one of London’s busiest urban environments.
The refurbished pitches will provide a reliable playing surface capable of supporting intensive weekly schedules, reducing weather-related disruption and maximising the number of playing hours available throughout the year.
For Edel Grass, the project demonstrates how the right combination of technology, expertise and partnership can help communities maximise participation and create sporting environments built to perform for the future.