Inverclyde Council leader hits back at pitch hire criticism

Councillor Stephen McCabe said everything possible was being done to keep fees down by the cash strapped local authority.

A Tele investigation last week revealed a growing number of local amateur clubs are unable to afford the charges, prompting fears that young people are being priced out of the game.

A separate report in 2023 found Inverclyde had the third highest charges in Scotland for 3G pitch hire - even though it is one of the country's most deprived areas.

Councillor McCabe said the local authority gave £55,000 in grants to local football teams last year to cover the cost of pitch hire and other expenses.

He added: "We provide some of the best facilities in Scotland and try to give local teams as much financial support as possible.

"Our overall funding has been cut by the Scottish Government, and council tax has been frozen most years in the last 17 years.

Football clubs in Inverclyde have claimed pitch hire costs are pricing players out of the game. (Image: Reiss McGuire)

"That means pressure is put on fees and charges including charges for pitch hire.

"This is happening across Scotland, and not just in Inverclyde."

Cllr McCabe denied pitch hire costs were as high as claimed, citing separate figures from SportScotland which found the Inverclyde fees were eighth highest in Scotland for adults and ninth highest for youths.

The council owns, funds and maintains the pitches and sets the charges through arm's length body Inverclyde Leisure.

Mr McCabe added: "The charges for football pitches have had to go up over the years because of the financial pressures on councils.

"The council has had to reduce its funding to Inverclyde Leisure because the Scottish Government has reduced its' funding to us.

"These are very expensive pitches to both build and maintain.

"A typical 3G pitch with fencing and floodlighting costs around £700,000 to build.

"We have more 3G pitches in Inverclyde per head of population than anyhwere else in Scotland."

In the last year the price of an adult park has shot up to £175 and £109 for a juvenile team.

Mr McCabe continued: "They are not a cash cow. We are not seeking to make a profit at people's expense.

"But it is unrealistic to expect councils to provide more subsidy." 

Alex More, who managed Greenock Mount Kirk FC, was forced to fold the club last October with the cost of pitch hire playing a major part in that decision.

Cllr McCabe added: "We are very conscious of the fact that sport is vital to the health and well being of our community.

Council leader Stephen McCabe insists football clubs in Inverclyde are not being treated as a cash cow. (Image: Newsquest)

"We try to do our best very limited and decreasing resources.

"`If we were to put more money into providing football pitches then we would have to get it by cutting other services like education and social work.

"It is just not practicable. That is the reality."

The Labour councillor also called on the Scottish Football Association and professional football clubs to do do more for grassroots football and not leave it to councils.

He said: "I want to see the beautiful game flourish and develop in Inverclyde.

"When I became council leader in 2007 I made it one of my central missions to improve the quality of the facilities we have here.

"But that has come at an enormous cost.

"I would love to be able to reduce the fees and charges to clubs, but it is simply not possible in the current financial climate."