'Pitch costs killing local football'

The cost of pitch hire from Rochdale Council is slowly killing local amateur football, according to a committee member from the Rochdale Sunday League.

The council plans to increase costs to hire pitches next season, leaving teams with a £600 bill for what could be as little as 12 home games in the year.

Referees secretary Richard Wild has sent an open letter to the council asking how they can justify an increase in pitch fees when, he believes, that little or no work is done on the pitches after each weekend.

Mr Wild said: "For many years now I have felt that the cost of hiring a football pitch from RMBC has been a determining factor in the steady decline of the number of teams participating in the sport.

"In the annual budget that any team has to consider each season more than 50% of their outgoings are simply on pitch fees. They are likely to play no more than 12 games on the pitch they rent from you and at £600 a season it is the sole reason why such a large number of teams are calling it a day and simply not participating in the sport each season. I consider this a real shame but it simply comes down to the fact teams can no longer afford to run an amateur football team in the town.

"I am involved in The Rochdale & District Sunday League and this season every single expenditure, including league fees and insurance, has gone down with the exception of pitch fees.

"As somebody who takes to the sports fields of our town each weekend I am rather curious to know how RMBC can justify an increase in pitch fees this season. Personally I think they are considerably overpriced to start with but when little or nothing is done to the pitches after each weekend I cannot see how outgoings justify a charge of £600.

"Surely our local council should be looking to encourage people to participate in sport, not drive them away with extortionate charges."

In a response from the Council to Mr Wild's letter, Derek Mack, Specialised Services Manager, said: "Fees for the use of playing fields were increased for this year in line with the recommendations of the Treasurer for Council fees and charges generally and have been approved by Members. The reality is that the provision of sports pitches is a highly subsidised service; the charges for their use do not represent the true costs of providing the service estimated in terms of sports pitch maintenance, staffing, machinery and materials to be £1750 per pitch each year.

"Demand for pitches remains high and we will continue to work hard with you and the other teams /clubs to provide the best possible service."