Artificial Football Pitch Closure Affects Over 500 Children, Coach Voices Disappointment

An artificial football pitch’s closure last week has left over 500 children without a venue to play. Greenbank FC, an organization managing 46 youth football teams in North Hykeham, reported receiving short notice that the playing surface they utilize at One NK Leisure Centre had been deemed “unsafe”. The chairman of the team stated, “from the kids’ perspectives, we’re failing them”. North Kesteven District Council indicated its efforts were focused on working to “ensure the pitch can reopen as soon as possible.” Lincolnshire FA confirmed it was collaborating with the club, recognized as the largest youth team in the county, to endeavor to arrange alternative playing locations. The football club disclosed that it had previously communicated concerns regarding the quality and upkeep of the 10-year-old artificial pitch to North Kesteven District Council throughout the last two seasons. In a statement, Greenbank FC asserted, “The pitch has been left to deteriorate for so long it’s now unplayable with questions being asked how this has been allowed to happen.” Adam Leeder, Chairman of Greenbank FC, commented that the situation was “causing some real problems.” He added, “Having to try and find 540 users plus an adult’s team somewhere else to go and play football is not an easy task.” Leeder further explained, “The leisure facilities in Lincoln aren’t massive and they’re already up to capacity.” Mr. Leeder conveyed a feeling of disappointing hundreds of children. He elaborated, “I think from the kids’ perspectives, we’re failing them. I think we’re failing them from a social and mental wellbeing perspective and I think we’re failing the families.” North Kesteven District Council stated its commitment to “supports the regular maintenance” of the pitch and confirmed its collaboration with North Kesteven Academy and additional partners to “help ensure the pitch can reopen again as soon as possible.” The council expressed hope that repairs would be completed “in the next few weeks.” Lincolnshire FA reported being informed that the site’s sudden closure was due to it being “deemed unsafe and therefore closed with immediate effect.” It also mentioned efforts to mitigate the “substantial effect on Greenbank FC” and its work to identify “short term, interim measures” to enable children to continue participating in football. GLL, the company overseeing the daily operations of the pitch and One NK leisure centre, was contacted by the BBC but declined to provide a comment.