A Telford football team says it is stuck on the sidelines after a Catch 22 confusion over getting funding for a new pitch.
Steve Ball, one of the managers from Ketley Town SFC, said the team has not received a £500 grant which was promised by Ketley Parish Council in July. The money, he believes, was supposed to go towards finding a football pitch and general running costs of the team.
The parish council, however, disputes his claims and says the money is being put up to help the Sunday League team once it sorts out somewhere to play.
Mr Ball said he felt disappointed about the funding delays. He said: “We are unable to use the Ketley Playing fields because there is some building work going on there and there are no changing rooms or toilet facilities there.
“So currently there is nowhere for the team to play and I do not feel we are being listened to by the Ketley Parish Council.
“This is why grassroots football is dying to death because of the lack of resources for teams in the local area. We were annoyed that we have no support while other football teams such as the one in Madeley have had no problems getting funding.”
But Ketley Parish Council claims the agreement was that the grant would be made after the team had found a new pitch and was up and running.
John Roberts, council clerk said: “The Parish Council has agreed a grant to support a junior football team when we last spoke to them after they sorted out a football pitch. They said they would let us know when they had got a venue.
Assist
“We are still waiting for them to tell us that they have got a venue and a junior football team. We have agreed to give them a grant once they are up and running.”
Councillor Steve Bentley, Telford & Wrekin cabinet member for community services said the borough council was looking at ways to assist the club.
“Telford & Wrekin Council actively promote health and well-being and currently run three football pitches at Ketley Bank including two senior pitches and one junior pitch along with changing rooms and parking facilities,” he said.
“We are committed to supporting local football at grass roots level and along with council officers we are looking at ways to assist Ketley Town SFC and other clubs.”
But Steve Wise, a local sponsor for the team and training manager at RAF Cosford said he didn’t believe the local authorities were doing enough.
Campaign
He said: “I’m a bit disappointed that we haven’t received received funding now. I know Steve has been running a campaign for a number of years to give the youngsters of Ketley something to do.
“It has transpired that there has been a number of problems getting the youngsters somewhere to play in Ketley and getting them changing rooms,” he said.
“We seem to have had a load of empty promises from the Parish Council and the kids are left without somewhere to play.
“I have always thought that the team was a worthy cause to donate to because at the end of the day it’s doing something positive for the kids.”
