Goals Soccer Centres, which owns 30 other similar football facilities across the country, has built the new five-a-side premises on land near to Abbeyfield School in Mereway, Far Cotton.

The £2.2 million centre, which also includes a luxury sports bar with a large screen, reception area, two function rooms and two multi-use rooms, has taken six months to construct and will employ 30 people.

Keith Mitchell, partnership development manager for Goals Soccer Centres, said the pitches would be open to teams of all levels of experience and skills.

He added: "If it was a hotel it would be a five star one. We will provide state-of-the-art football pitches that will be the same surface that Real Madrid and Chelsea train on.

"One of the reasons we felt confident about opening the centre now was the success of other centres following the same business model. This facility will offer something far in excess of what is available in the area.

"The nearest similar site is Leicester or then you would have to go to north London.

"We will offer state-of-the-art administration and tournaments for a large amount of people. We will run leagues from Sunday through to Thursday for all different standards of ability."

The five-a-side pitches will be used by pupils of Abbeyfield School, one of the partners in the building of the site, during the day and will then be rented out to the public in the evening. Northampton Town Football Club will also use the facility for youth training.

The site will be officially opened by Councillor Judith Shepherd (Con, Moulton), during a ceremony tonight which will also be attended by Cobblers players and more than 50 pupils from Abbeyfield School.

The Goal Soccer Centre is available for friendlies or teams can join FA affiliated leagues.

To book online visit www.goals football.co.uk or call Northampton 876777.