Grass Roots Football in decline

[RHB]

I've been reading the report in the attached link and felt it was worth sharing for all of you who, like me, have played or play weekend amateur football. quite a damning read. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...o-survive-in-a-changing--country-9782804.html I can certainly identify with most of the points made and I'm sure some of you can too.

 

[SUFC_Ross]

sad but true, Notice it more and more every year, teams folding but no new ones coming back up

 

[Pubey]

sad but true, Notice it more and more every year, teams folding but no new ones coming back up

Yeah definitely noticeable. Our league was turning into a shambles and so gave up with it last year. The pitches are dreadful and most weeks unsafe. Some games were played 45 mins drive away and you'd end up playing twice after work in a week to get through re-arranged fixtures.

No surprise that 5/6/7-a-side is growing in popularity (I think) and weekend grass football is dying off, which is a massive shame and real worry.

 

[Shrimper93]

Hello all I have come across this campaign via twitter#savegrassroots, thought some of the zoners out there might like to sign their epetition. http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/66835 just click the link to see more.

 

[chapperzUK]

Find it staggering how that petition has less than 23,000 signatures, which is about possibly millions of kids playing the game they love and enjoy, and a petition to get 1 no-mark 3rd division football to not sign for a football club got well over 100,000.

Shows that people in this country love to be pesimistic and watch other people fail than be positive.

 

[bucket&spade.f.c]

It all comes down to money. Anyone who has run a side will know what is involved. Its like the chap said losing players due to no training and to bigger clubs who dont need to charge as much money.
Even as a player it felt like I was being asked to put my hand in my pocket every week.

The local park pitches are well over priced, over used and never looked after therfore games are called off for weeks on end yet the council still expect payment.

The local leagues will try and fine a club for everything and anything and some clubs are drained so much they have to fold.

The FA really need to take a long hard look into grass roots football and plug some serious money into it rather than their pockets.

Lions led by Donkeys!