A FORMER footballer behind plans to build a new football training facility in Greenock says a past SPFL opponent inspired his bid to provide expert coaching to kids in Inverclyde.
Craig Molloy, who grew up in Greenock, has teamed up with fellow St Mirren alumnus David Barron as the duo look to turn a derelict site in the east end of Greenock, into a floodlit football pitch and dog walking area.
The duo, who have more than 500 senior appearances between them, have applied to change the use of ground on the south side of the railway line on Kilmun Road, in the former Strone estate.
Molloy wants to be able to help the area he grew up in, by providing an asset that can be accessed all year round to help bring on the next generation of young players.
READ MORE: Former footballers unveil bid to revamp long-derelict site in Greenock
"The idea behind the private field is to give us the opportunity to have our own base," he told the Tele.
"That's more focused on one-to-one training sessions, readily available for kids in Inverclyde.
"We feel that in this area, during the winter, there isn't the space for kids to have access to things like that. Clubs and other groups are using places like the Battery Park and Lady Octavia.
"Fingers crossed we can get the planning permission all approved because I feel as if it would be an asset to the community.
"Bryan Gilfillan, who I played against when he was at the likes of Stranraer, Airdrie and Cowdenbeath, had a similar idea. He had a bit of farmland to go and do it, which is a bit different.
"But it's a similar idea, where we want to be able to give kids in the area decent coaching in a safe space."
The planned 20-metre by 40-metre floodlit training area would be for one-to-one coaching - something which is currently at the mercy of pitch availability elsewhere in Inverclyde.
A statement lodged alongside the planning appplication to Inverclyde Council says: "The site itself, which has lain derelict for over 25 years and is often used as a dumping ground for fly tippers, can be brought back to life to help serve the community and wider people of Inverclyde.
"This custom-built facility would allow us a fantastic opportunity to bridge the gap with many other major towns and cities across Scotland that offer similar professional coaching sessions within designated arenas."
The dog exercise field that forms the other part of the pair's plans would also be fenced and floodlit, but would measure 20 metres by 80 metres.
Craig and David's proposal is for this to be open from 7.30am to 9.30pm, with half-hour slots bookable online.
Molloy says that he and Barron, who played for St Mirren and Stranraer during his professional career, hope that the facility can help keep sessions going all year round, meaning that parents aren't needing to look further afield for that extra bit of tuition.
He added: "Our holiday camps and general weekend camps would still take place at Lady Octavia and the Battery Park.
"David takes his wee boy up to Glasgow twice a week for one-to-one sessions. We're hoping that we can keep it going.
"The work that guys like Nicky Low do, doing one-to-one sessions in the area, is brilliant, but it'd be good to have a base to go and be able to offer it from all year round."
The proposal is currently pending consideration by Inverclyde Council officials.
Permission was given last year for land to the north of the railway line to be used for a complex of workshops and allotments.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here