A £4.5 million sports facility at New College Durham’s Framwellgate Moor campus has hosted professional goalkeepers from across Europe, as the college’s new Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) begins to attract elite players alongside students and local football organisations.
The all-weather pitch was recently used by Modern-Day GK (MDGK) for an intensive training session involving professional goalkeepers from Sweden, Portugal and Poland. The session demonstrated how the facility is being used for high-level coaching as well as everyday student and community sport.
A different approach to goalkeeping
MDGK was established 10 years ago by brothers Lee, Shaun and Mark Robinson. The organisation focuses on modern player mindsets, decision-making, game analysis and error resilience, rather than relying solely on traditional shot-stopping drills.
The brothers bring experience of professional football, strength and conditioning and sports coaching to their programme. Their approach combines technical development with work on confidence, decision-making and helping young goalkeepers learn from mistakes in a supportive environment.
MDGK has also built a network of contacts across professional football. That network has helped players who were released by clubs or overlooked through the traditional pathway to find new opportunities. In recent years, eight of the organisation’s goalkeepers have progressed from outside the professional game to signing full-time contracts.
Mark Robinson said the organisation was looking for venues that could meet the demands of its training work.
“We’re always looking for venues where we can train and, ultimately, we want to be on a full-size football pitch that meets the professional standards we need.”
“When I heard how good the facility was here, I had to see it for myself, and the pitch is amazing. We had three professional goalkeepers here at New College Durham’s MUGA, and when you reach their level, you want to coach on a professionally maintained pitch, and this definitely is!”
Facility expanding its local role
Officially opened in 2025, the MUGA has an all-weather pitch built to FA and Sport England standards. It is already being used by local football organisations and forms an important part of the college’s Football Development Centre.
New College Durham has invested more than £34 million in facilities and advanced equipment over the past five years. A further £6 million is being invested in redesigning, rebuilding and re-equipping its sports and music facilities, with that work due to be completed in 2027.
Weekday use by students is already strong, while the college is exploring further opportunities for local clubs and leagues. The development is intended to make the MUGA a wider hub for sporting activity in County Durham.
Local clubs confirmed to use the facility include Durham Women FC, Durham FC, Durham Athletic, Durham United and Shincliffe Juniors. The MUGA will also be central to the Football Development Centre, which is run in partnership with the Newcastle United Foundation and Spennymoor Town FC.
Barry Poskett, curriculum manager for sport at New College Durham, said the facility was designed to support players at different stages, from grassroots football to professional academies.
“This is much more than just a pitch. Here at New College Durham, we actively pursue and achieve the ideal of being a catalyst for positive change. It is great to see our facilities being used by organisation across the whole spectrum of ability. Whether starting out as an under-6 team member or attracting interest from players in Europe seeking to benefit from the coaching skills and facilities in the North East is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved. Our facilities are here to inspire talent, build resilience, and create pathways from grassroots football to professional academies.”
Bookings can be made by contacting Steven Livingstone, sports facility manager, through New College Durham.
