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About us

We are a charity operating high-quality football-led community hubs across England. Places where people can play, move, connect and belong.

Our Story

Leisure United was created to make high-quality community sports facilities with a sustainable, accessible and impactful.

Our hubs are football-led but community focussed, bringing together pitches, gyms, social spaces, cafes and activities that give people the opportunities to be active and connected.

We work alongside local authorities, national partners, grassroots clubs and communities to create places that responds to local needs.

All surplus we generate is reinvested back into the communities we serve.

A floodlit 3G pitch at night, seen from a corner flag

Our journey

  • 2016

    LU was founded

    LU was created in readiness to operate the first three hubs in Sheffield

  • 2018

    Expansion begins

    Four new hubs in Liverpool open, followed closely by three more in Sunderland in 2019.

  • 2021

    The National Football Trust

    The NFT was created by the Premier League, The FA and Sport England and became LU's parent charity in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

  • 2023

    Six new openings

    Newcastle and Wigan each welcomed two new Hubs alongside Dagenham, and Darnall – Sheffield’s fourth Hub

  • 2025

    Hubs of the community

    The NFT and LU launched their inaugural five-year strategy.

  • 2026

    Reaching 20 hubs

    We were delighted to open a site in Hailsham and Woodhall in Leeds the first of three Hubs in the city.

Our impact

  • £151.9m

    Social value delivered through our hubs

    We are here for every body

  • >4 million

    visitors per year

    We keep playing

  • 285,000

    Hours of on-pitch activity with priority access for women and girl's

    We raise our game

  • 200

    Subsidised community projects

    We are local supporters

Our charitable model

  • 1

    Revenue generated at hubs

    Pitch bookings, memberships, classes and community bookings.

  • 2

    100% surplus reinvestment back into the area it was generated

    All surplus generated in a local authority area is ringfenced to be reinvested back into subsidised community programmes and facility improvements in that area.

  • 3

    Community Impact

    Better facilities, more access, social connection and healthier, happier local communities.

What we stand for

We believe that personal wellness should never come with barriers.

Our leadership team

Our colleagues are the heartbeat of Leisure United. They’re passionate about football, health and wellbeing, and their local communities. Every hub is backed by an experienced head office, ensuring our people have what they need to deliver exceptional experiences for our communities.

  • CEO

  • COO

  • Director of Development

  • Director of Finance

  • Director of Special Projects

  • Support Services and Governance Manager

  • Head of People

Mark Coulson

Mark Coulson

CEO

Mark Coulson joined Leisure United as Chief Executive Officer of Leisure United in December 2024, leading the organisation’s growth and its mission to develop a national network of high-quality, inclusive, and sustainable sports and leisure hubs. He brings more than 20 years of leadership and strategic delivery experience across football’s governing bodies, including more than a decade at The Football Association and his previous role as Director of Programmes at the Football Foundation. He played a key role in establishing the hubs programme back in 2014 and delivered the investment into the first hubs in Sheffield. Mark is a volunteer grassroots coach and a trustee at York City FC Foundation.
Tom Galvin

Tom Galvin

COO
Will Wallace

Will Wallace

Director of Development
Neil Cutts

Neil Cutts

Director of Finance

Neil Cutts joined Leisure United in December 2022 and was appointed Director of Finance in April 2025. He brings more than 35 years of financial management experience across the travel and leisure sectors, having spent his career leading finance teams, maintaining strong financial controls and delivering accurate financial reporting.

A fully qualified management accountant, Neil achieved his CIMA qualification in 1995. As part of Leisure United’s Executive Team, he plays a key role in supporting the organisation’s mission to develop a national network of high-quality, inclusive and sustainable sports hubs. Outside of work, Neil lives in Hampshire and is a dedicated Ipswich Town supporter and keen club golfer.
Dean Hogan

Dean Hogan

Director of Special Projects

Dean Hogan joined Leisure United in 2016 as National Operations Manager and is now Director of Special Projects. He has been instrumental in the development and rollout of Leisure United’s sports and leisure hubs, playing a key role in taking projects from initial planning and development through to opening and ongoing operation. Working alongside the senior leadership team, Dean works closely with local authorities, partners, contractors and key stakeholders to deliver high-quality community sports and leisure facilities.

Dean brings more than 40 years of operational experience, including senior roles with two of the country’s leading gym PLCs. He was also involved in the evolution of the UK five-a-side football market, holding senior positions with Powerleague and JJB Soccerdome. His extensive operational background gives him a practical, delivery-focused approach to project development, combining project management with a strong understanding of what is required to operate successful, sustainable leisure facilities. Outside of his professional career, Dean is also a passionate artist with a particular interest in pushing the boundaries of modern art.
Amy Haughan

Amy Haughan

Support Services and Governance Manager
Tess Graham

Tess Graham

Head of People

  • Our Strategy

    How we plan to deliver welcoming and inclusive hubs that bring communities together for healthier happier lives.

    Learn more

  • Careers

    Join the team and play your part

    Learn more

Our strategic partners

Backed by local authorities and the biggest names in sport.

Our work is made possible through the support of the Premier League, The FA, Sport England and the Football Foundation. Together, we’re using the power of football to create thriving community hubs that improve health, increase opportunity and bring people together.

  • Premier League
  • The FA
  • Sport England
  • Football Foundation