Football pitches could be revived

From the The Bolton News, first published Sunday 26th Aug 2007.

COUNCILLORS are to investigate ways to bring redundant football pitches back to life.

There are up to nine disused sports pitches in Westhoughton, according the town council.

The publicly-owned sites cannot be used by local teams because they do not have adequate drainage systems.

It could cost millions of pounds to install modern systems - but councillors say they are to investigate ways to give the sites a new lease of life.

Mayor of Westhoughton, Cllr Jim Gilfillan, who also referees Sunday league football games, said: "There are a number of pitches which are unplayable because of a lack of drainage.

"There are teams in the town which are keen to expand but we cannot give them the facilities. Players are having to go elsewhere to play, for example to Wigan, and that is not something we want to encourage."

He suggested that either the town council or a charitable foundation could take over the Bolton Council-owned sites because they would be eligible for a greater range of grants to carry out the necessary work.

Bob Naylor is secretary of Daisy Hill FC, based at a privately-owned site off St James Street.

He believes that getting the pitches up and running would provide a welcome boost for local football.

He said: "From a community point of view, whether it's public or private owned land, it's in the interests of the community to keep it in use.

"Finding ways to improve drainage may well produce more opportunities to get involved in the sport. If facilities are available, more people could be encouraged to take it up."

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