Council accused of forcing out grassroots football teams with rising costs of hiring out pitches in Windsor and Maidenhead
THE Royal Borough has been accused of strangling the life out of grassroots football as The Observer reveals the escalating cost of renting out council pitches.
Figures released under a Freedom of Information request show for the 2014/15 season it would set teams back £1,571 to hire a council-owned, conventional grass football pitch for up to 15 games - up nearly £300 in five years from £1,282 in 2010/11.
Compared to the 2013/14 season, the cost has gone up by £75 alone.
Darren Wareham, manager of Windsor Warriors who play at Clewer Recreation Ground, said: "It is absolutely ridiculous. We are going to struggle to pay it to be honest and probably not going to be able to play in Dedworth anymore.
"What would the harm be in charging less, especially when they wouldn't get any revenue if grassroots teams didn't play there, It's as if they are trying to chuck out grassroots football."
Rising pitch costs in the Royal Borough and Slough were one of the reasons cited for the folding after 50 years of The Observer-sponsored Industrial Football League last summer as more and more teams pulled out, leaving less than 10 prepared to sign up for the 2013/14 season.
Alan Braybook, the last league chairman told The Observer: "Pitch hire costs are going up, but there are a number of other rising costs which are a problem too. Council pitch prices going up just adds further burdens. Football helps people lead healthy lives so it should be encouraged and helped.
"As prices go up, I can only see more and more sides dissolving."
The Royal Borough rents out nine outdoor, grass football pitches at the Braywick Sports Ground, in Braywick Road, Desborough Park, in Desborough Crescent, Oaken Grove Park, in Oaken Grove, all in Maidenhead, as well as Clewer Recreation Ground, in Dedworth Road, and Dedworth Recreation Ground, in Hanover Way, both in Windsor.
The cost covers maintenance, changing rooms and showers, but clubs have to put up their own nets.
Cllr Eileen Quick, cabinet member for leisure and libraries, said: "I think the costs go up in line with the costs it takes for us to maintain the standard of the pitches which naturally rises. It is a fine balance between keeping the hire costs down and ensuring the standards are maintained, but the costs will only cover what we have to pay for maintenance."
Costs to hire council pitches has gone up across the country with government budget cuts being blamed.
Nicholas May, founder of Windsor United which also play in Clewer, said: "We have been there for six years now and it has gone up every year. It's not helpful and we have looked elsewhere, but to be honest, it is worse elsewhere."
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