Parents' anger as 38 junior football teams left with nowhere to play

Thirty-eight junior teams have been left with nowhere to play football next season - after being booted off their pitches.

They are looking for alternative venues after being told only Stone Old Alleynians will remain at Wellbeing Park, in Yarnfield.

It follows the collapse of a deal for Staffordshire FA to take over the site.

Now junior teams have been left stunned by the decision. The ground was also used for the flagship Ladsandads finals.

Parent Jo Wallace, aged 46, from Blurton, whose 14-year-old son played at the site, said: "The facilities have been withdrawn from this coming weekend for the junior teams. There are 38 teams that won't have a facility.

"My son has played there since he was five and he's now 14. The first parents knew was on Sunday morning when the groundsman had to display a board saying that they could not open the clubhouse.

"There are a lot of sad children. We'll have to look for another team along with all the other players as well. It was a good facility."

Wellbeing Park owner Bob Bowers has hit back at social media rumours suggesting that the 21-acre site is being sold for housing.

He said: "Following many discussions with various stakeholders, we can now officially announce the immediate plans for the future of the site."

"Please ignore any rumours or misinformation. We are not selling the site for housing. The site remains open for football and wellbeing."

"The original deal for Staffordshire FA to acquire the ownership of the land began two years ago. A deal was agreed for Staffordshire FA to take control over all aspects of the site while the funds were concluded to take full ownership for the freehold and develop the site from the end of May 2021."

"Unfortunately, through no fault of either party involved, the deal has collapsed due to the devastating effects of the pandemic. The financial ability to purchase the facility and furthermore continue to subsidise the operating costs is not available anymore. This includes funding for the new clubhouse and changing buildings."

Mr Bowers added: "Therefore, to avoid the complete closure of the site, we can announce that Stone Old Alleynians, the most senior club on the site, will continue with their two adult teams using the stadium and facilities with an initial 12-month agreement at an increased rent."

"The Academy 4 Wellbeing business and building will also continue."

"However, at present, there has not been a deal agreed to continue with the outer pitches for junior use after the end of May 2021. The wider junior pitches are not included in this and no suitable deal for maintenance or management has been found as of yet."

You can read the original article from StokeonTrentLive HERE