Young footballers have kicked off the new season with more certainty about the future of their home pitch, thanks to a local fundraising campaign.
Over the past few months, more than £1,000 has been raised to help secure and maintain the pitches used by Golborne Sports Junior Football Club, which had been the victim of repeated damage by motorbikes, quads and 4×4 vehicles being driven across them illegally.
Thanks to the hard work and generosity of fundraisers, the club has now complete a fence around the pitches, as well as installing CCTV to deter any future trespassers. The money has also helped pay for the pitches to be drained, so that the club can play more games this season, even when the weather isn’t so kind.
Sean Gallimore from Golborne Sports Junior Football Club, said: “Thank you to everyone who supported our fundraising campaign. It has allowed us to secure the site and carry out the maintenance work that was desperately needed.
“We have still had a few problems with people coming onto the pitches to walk dogs and we’d just ask that people avoid the pitches as it can cause damage and potentially make the pitches unsafe to play on.
“But we’re really pleased that the chances that games are going to have to be cancelled this season because of either bad weather or vandalism are much reduced because of the work that has been done.”
Now the club are hoping to be able to improve the path from Golborne High School to the playing pitches, which may cost in the region of £600. They are appealing to anyone who has a mini-digger which could be used for the job, or anyone who would offer to give their time to help with the work, to get in touch.
If you could help, with either a donation, fundraising event or would be prepared to help out with the work yourself, please contact Sean by email secretary@golbornesportsjfc.org.uk.