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Digital renderings of the footy fields to be built by a Dutch businessman at 1145 S. Warren St.
Courtesy of Footy LLC
A businessman from Holland brings his passion for European-style football, uh football, to the Old Pueblo.
Mart Nijland bought 3 acres of excess city land at 1145 S. Warren St. for $ 300,000 to build five small fields for speed soccer.
Two of the fields will be for seven-on-seven games and three for five-on-five games. The three smaller ones have side barriers to prevent the ball from leaving the field of play.
“America has huge potential,” Nijland said of the sport. “I dream a little bigger than just Tucson because America is getting more and more interested in football.”
The empty lot at 1145 S. Warren Avenue will include two fields for seven-versus-seven-speed football and three fields for five-versus-five.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
The complex called The Footy is near 22nd Street and Cinema Parkway.
“In Europe we call it football and ‘Socky’ didn’t sound right, so we chose ‘Footy’,” he said of the company name.
There will also be a clubhouse with food and drink for the players after the games. The fields are equipped with artificial turf.
The complex will not have a stadium for spectators.
“It’s more for the players to play and have fun,” said Nijland. “I know Americans really like to watch sports, but it’s a little more down to earth in Europe.”
The Footy Fields near 22nd Street and Kino Parkway will also feature a clubhouse with food and drink for the players.
Courtesy of Footy LLC
Nijland said he became interested in the Tucson market after his sister Diana moved here 10 years ago.
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