I write in response to Brian Derbyshire's letter. He raises a very important issue and one that is fundamental to our proposal.
Like him, I remember all the football pitches that used to be around the town. I played for St Augustines, who used to play on the pitches he refers to at Castle Hill.
Many veteran footballers like myself will remember the likes of Walkers, Ryders, St Thomas's, Silcoms, Metal Box and many others, who played on great facilities that were disposed of when the businesses closed down.
Other land has been disposed of by the churches, the education authorities and the council,so where do the children play now? Where are the new pitches? Will the council be able to fund them? I think not.
The way forward is to let a local club like ours, which can get private and lottery funding, build and manage good quality facilities for the benefit of all the local children.That is why the Football Association is putting so much emphasis and money into grass pitches.
For those in doubt, look at the example set by Eagley FC. It was a ground owned by the former Eagley Mills Factory. The members who took it over have provided a fantastic facility, which is the best in the town, and have been doing so for 30 years.
All we want is the opportunity to do the same for the children of the area. Just because there are pitches doesn't mean houses should be built on them. It is green belt land, and the council controls that. Not that our members would let them, anyway.
Graeme Luxton
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