Yardley 5’s – LED Floodlighting Refurbishment

Yardley 5’s Football Centre

Yardley 5’s Football Centre is a dedicated small-sided football facility in Birmingham, providing pitches for local football and organised sporting activities.

The facility is used by local teams, schools and community groups, with the pitches regularly hosting organised competitions and tournaments. Yardley 5’s has also been used for school football events, including SEND football festivals, providing opportunities for young players to take part in organised football in an inclusive environment.

With the facility supporting regular football activity throughout the year, reliable and effective floodlighting is an important part of providing suitable playing conditions during evening fixtures and training sessions.

The Project

SJB Floodlighting completed a comprehensive LED floodlighting refurbishment at Yardley 5’s in Sedgemere Road, Birmingham, upgrading the existing lighting system serving the 5-a-side and 7-a-side pitches.

The project replaced the site’s ageing metal halide floodlights with a modern LED system, providing improved illumination across the playing areas while making use of the existing floodlighting columns and electrical infrastructure where appropriate.

SJB had originally installed the floodlighting system at the site in 2009, giving the team valuable knowledge of the existing installation and its infrastructure.

LED Floodlighting Upgrade

The existing 32 metal halide floodlights were removed and replaced with 32 Philips Lighting LED floodlights.

The new luminaires were installed onto the existing columns and carefully aimed in accordance with the computer-generated lighting design. The system was designed to provide an average illumination level of 120 lux across the pitches, delivering consistent lighting for recreational and competitive small-sided football.

The existing columns were retained, reducing the extent of structural work required and allowing the project to focus on upgrading the lighting technology itself.

Reusing Existing Infrastructure

Where suitable, SJB reused the existing cabling, switchgear and control infrastructure.

Existing flexible cables were retained where they remained suitable for continued service, with provision made to replace terminal boxes where required due to wear or damage. Existing switchgear was also retained and replaced only where necessary.

This approach allowed the refurbishment to make effective use of the existing installation while concentrating investment on the key area requiring improvement – the floodlighting equipment.

Improved Lighting Performance

The transition from metal halide to LED technology provides a significant improvement in the way the pitches are illuminated.

The new LED system provides consistent lighting across the playing areas, helping players to see the ball clearly and supporting the day-to-day operation of the facility.

LED floodlighting also provides a more modern and efficient alternative to the previous metal halide system, helping to reduce ongoing energy consumption and maintenance requirements.

Testing & Commissioning

Following installation, SJB carried out function testing of the new floodlights on each column before completing full system testing and commissioning.

An after-dark illumination test was undertaken to verify the performance of the completed installation against the lighting design.

The electrical installation was tested in accordance with BS 7671, with the appropriate certification provided on completion.

SJB also provided operational instruction and an operating manual to assist the site’s staff with the use of the new floodlighting system.

A Professional Approach

SJB Floodlighting combines specialist sports lighting expertise with electrical installation experience, providing complete floodlighting refurbishment and installation services for sports facilities.

Having originally installed the Yardley 5’s system in 2009, SJB was able to draw on its knowledge of the existing installation and available infrastructure when undertaking the refurbishment.

All works were carried out by suitably qualified personnel, with SJB operating as a NICEIC-approved electrical contractor and holding CHAS and SafeContractor accreditation. Site operatives hold the appropriate CSCS qualifications, with enhanced DBS checks undertaken for personnel working in environments around children and young people.

The Result

The completed refurbishment has transformed the floodlighting at Yardley 5’s, replacing the previous metal halide system with modern LED technology across the site’s 5-a-side and 7-a-side pitches.

The upgraded system provides consistent 120-lux illumination, improved reliability and a more efficient lighting solution, helping Yardley 5’s continue to provide high-quality playing conditions for small-sided football.

The project also demonstrates SJB’s ability to successfully refurbish an existing sports lighting installation while retaining suitable infrastructure, minimising unnecessary replacement work and delivering a modern lighting solution tailored to the facility’s requirements.