Like many coaches at grassroots level the growing frustration due to lack of funds from the government has finally sparked a reaction from one individual.
Kenny Saunders of Woolton FC in Liverpool has set up the ‘save grassroots campaign’ after stating that: “We need so much more investment from them and the Premier League. Facilities are horrendous, worse than they were when I was playing as a boy 40 years ago.”
With a target of 100,000 votes to make parliament, if you agree with the save grassroots initiative, sign the petition at the bottom of the page and help make a difference.
Saunders has called for the Premier League to contribute 7.5% of its TV revenue towards grassroots facilities, rather than the less than 1% it currently donates to the Football Foundation.
Research conducted by the governing body has found that 84% of those involved in grassroots football said that “poor facilities” was their main concern.
The government does however target a new three-year plan with a pledge to improve 3,000 run-down pitches across England and to build 150 new artificial pitches.
The FA also hope that £150m will be spent by the biggest sports charity in Britain, the Football Foundation on facilities.
But Kenny Saunders is less than unimpressed with the offer:
“It’s a disgrace what the FA have announced. We’ve had to call off matches in 11 of the last 13 weekends and we don’t even have any toilets facilities.”
Does this sound familiar to you?
The Premier League used to give £20m to the Football Foundation each year, a sum matched by the FA and Government. Now, despite ever-increasing TV revenues, the Premier League gives £12m.
The FA also gives £12m, while the Government puts in £10m, which means annual Football Foundation funding has fallen from £60m to £34m in recent years.
Yet the Premier League is making more money than ever. Domestic broadcasting rights for seasons 2013-14 to 2015-16 have been sold by the Premier League for £3bn.
Perhaps at a more fundamental level though, it is worth remembering that unlike in Europe, local councils in the UK face no statutory obligation to provide sports and leisure facilities in the same way they have to for schools and hospitals, for instance.
Central government allows councils to channel sports and leisure funding through their discretionary funds, often the first part of their budget to be cut, especially in times of austerity.
Ultimately is it the Premier League’s responsibility to make up for that?
On one hand it is the richest league in the world, on the other it already pays £1.2bn in taxes each year.
When some players can earn £200,000 a week and a massive £70m a season is spent on agents, those at the top of the game should be doing all they can to help young footballers in the communities in which they operate.
What is your opinion?
The save grass roots campaign petition.
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/46134
By Liam Curtis
