Glasgow’s grassroots football scene is struggling with clubs folding across the city
By Lewis Blaikie
Fears are growing over Glasgow’s grassroots football scene as clubs are folding at a concerning rate across the city.
The rising costs of hiring facilities for training and games is seen as the main reason for this, according to players and coaches.
Evan Holloway plays amateur football and is feeling the effects of the rising costs.
“It is becoming almost impossible to just play football anymore. Before a ball is even kicked you have spent over £100 on training kit, and that doesn’t even take into account finding somewhere to play or train, or just keep the club afloat.
“Boys are dropping like flies, at the weekend we only had 8 players available on the Friday night for our game on Saturday, we are really feeling the pinch, as are the clubs” Holloway said.
Most clubs in Glasgow don’t have an area of their own, so are having to hire space every time they need it, which can cost hundreds of pounds.
“We are lucky in the sense that we have our own space, but in the winter, we have to hire an artificial pitch, which isn’t cheap. The club probably wouldn’t be here today if we needed to spend that much week in week out all year” Holloway added.
Grassroots football is a way for youngsters to get into the game, and for adults to keep fit and let off a bit of steam at the end of a busy week.
“The way things are going, there won’t be any grassroots football left in Scotland, never mind just Glasgow” Holloway continued.
There has just been investment into Grassroots football in Glasgow, with 14 projects in the city and 40 nationwide receiving a share of £6 million.
In a statement, the SFA president Mike Mulraney, said: “One of the priorities for the Scottish FA is ensuring that local communities across the nation have access to facilities, so it is wonderful to see the UK Government’s commitment to investing in our national game through the Scottish FA’s Grassroots Pitch and Facilities Fund”.
Investment is being made into the game, but for the game to survive similar types of funding will need to continue for the foreseeable future.
Mulraney continued by adding “This opportunity will provide opportunities for a number of fantastic community clubs across the country such as Glasgow Girls and Women FDC and will play an important role in further developing the vitally important role that these clubs offer within their local areas”.
