Desperate plea to get young footballers in Glasgow back on pitch

There are fears grassroots football pitches across Glasgow may never reopen, after being forced to close during the first lockdown last March.

Some across the city have been shut since then, and Clyde 1 is hearing fears that could become permanent.

Eleven venues in the city still don't have a date for re-opening including Barlia football centre in Castlemilk.

Teams which normally train there are being forced to travel a few miles away to Toryglen Regional Football Centre.

Young players can't afford to travel elsewhere

Head coach of Castlemilk Boys Club, Ryan McMullen, said: "It's criminal what is happening to these kids.

"We can't expect them to jump on buses to get to games because their parents can't afford it.

"There is a perfectly good pitch that we could use and I just feel like I am banging my head off a brick wall."

Some of the other pitches which don't have a scheduled time for re-opening include Caldercuilt, Cathkin and Greenfields.

Ryan added: "When we are playing 'home' games we end up being closer to the opposition's home than our own home."

Volunteers stepping in

Some volunteers have asked Glasgow Life which operates Barlia Football Centre if they can help to maintain it in order for it to open sooner.

He said: "We will make sure the pitch isn't ruined and all the rubbish is cleared because we want these kids to have an opportunity to develop their passion for the game."

A spokesperson for Glasgow Life said: “We understand the strength of feeling there is about venues without reopening dates, including Barlia Football Centre, but no venues have been closed by Glasgow Life.

"Venues were closed as instructed by the Scottish Government in March 2020 as part of the lockdown prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"When any new funding is identified, we will discuss which venues will reopen with Glasgow City Council."

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• Glasgow
• Football