LAST weekend was a total washout for Bolton amateur football after Leisure Services had inspected pitches on Friday and ruled out weekend games.
Bolton was not alone in this as all adjacent authorities made the same decision and only a handful of games were able to tale place in the North West.
With the amount of rain that came down last week nobody could argue with Bolton Leisure Services ruling - but unfortunately not everyone seems to want to abide by it.
Fred Morris of Bolton Combination discovered a game between two junior sides taking place on Stoneclough's Brook Street pitch.
"I couldn't believe it," says Fred. "If the Parks have called them off they should be out of bounds for everyone. It's not fair on Stoneclough and the Sunday sides who use Brook Street and pay good money for that right.
"I immediately phoned Leisure Services and I believe they sent someone down to call a halt to the game and kick them off.
"It's no use saying that because it's kids they won't cause much damage to the pitch. With the weather we've had this season any sort of activity on the playing surface is going to damage it.
"The people from the Parks Department are working overtime to try and deal with the situation and this sort of scant regard for their efforts and for other teams is scandalous."
A spokesman for Leisure Services added: "Unauthorised or not officially organised games are a real problem for us. If we are made aware of it we take whatever steps possible to prevent it happening."
There is also another side to the issue and Jim Parker, Discipline Officer of the Lancashire FA outlined that unregistered games could have serious consequences.
"Any referee involving him or herself in that sort of activity is running the risk of being removed from our official lists completely. Any players or club officials involved could be banned from all participation in football. We have that power," he said.
"There is also the issue of insurance. A game sanctioned by a County FA automatically has Public Liability Cover. If it is an unregistered game any cover would be ruled invalid. Any child, or adult for that matter, who received a seriously injured would not get a penny!"
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