Hackney council will close the beloved Keith Miller sports pitch in east London at the end of the year to build urgently needed social homes, sparking concerns from campaigners who say the loss will be a huge blow to the local community.
Unique democratic space under threat
The pitch, known locally as the "San Siro of east London," is a free, self-governing space used daily by young people. Photographer Tara Darby, who has documented life at the cage for a year, says: "It's self-governing and democratic and brings a lot of much-needed joy in a world where teenagers are heavily judged and policed."
Darby's photos capture vibrant street football, lively competitions, and training sessions run by volunteers and organised groups. At least one top-level professional footballer, former Arsenal defender Kirsty Pealling, grew up playing here.
400 new homes planned
The redevelopment is part of Hackney council's housebuilding programme, which will bring 400 new homes to the area, two-thirds of them council homes for social rent. About 210,000 Londoners are homeless and living in temporary accommodation, including 102,000 children.
Infill projects by councils across London target underused pockets of land on existing estates. However, residents say vital community spaces are being targeted.
Community fears loss of free access
The project will take two years. Hackney council promises new green and ball play spaces once complete, but community organisers say young people rely on the unique freedom to use the cage daily and will have nowhere else to go.
Darby says: "I don't know where the kids will go." She adds: "It's really great that the council have found a space to run the official training sessions, but the free access will go. It will be a huge loss for two years, and then what we get is smaller and there is a risk it won't be the same."
Trent, a young regular, says: "We call this the San Siro of east London because as you approach it you can't see it, you can just hear the noise. Players feel like professional footballers when they're inside." He notes the area has become polarised between rich and poor: "Kids can't go to London Fields at the weekend because it's rammed with people drinking expensive coffees."
Council response and alternative provision
Hackney council says it has listened to local people and will provide high-quality doorstep spaces including a football pitch on the finished estate. A spokesperson said: "We know the existing Keith Miller sports pitch is an important community asset, which is why we are re-providing an improved astroturf pitch as part of our plans. While construction takes place, we will work with a nearby school to continue running the vital activities for young people, such as the sessions run by Arsenal in the Community."
However, Michael Johnston, a primary school teacher who runs regular tournaments at the cage, emphasises the informal use will be a huge loss. "There is nowhere else like this nearby, it's a really special space. I was here at the weekend and there was a team of deaf players out on it. I bring the younger children who aren't old enough to self-organise. It's particularly vital in the winter." He points to increasing costs of similar pitches: "The nearest cage like it is a pay-per-hour one in the park. When it's gone, I worry the young people will just be left wandering the local estates."
Broader context of play space battles
Similar battles in Peckham and Bermondsey saw campaigners fight to save popular football cages and doorstep play spaces. They warn that rebuilt spaces are often more overlooked and subject to more complaints. Last week, a coalition of more than 40 organisations wrote to Andy Burnham asking to make it easier for children to play outside, calling for removal of "discriminatory" 'No ball games' signs.
