“We’re paying prices that will fold the club”: North Walkden FC setback as another one of their pitches is made unplayable

After suffering pitch damage earlier in the season, North Walkden FC have suffered more damage to their Kenyon Way football pitch.

The club reported the damage on Saturday via a Tweet, containing images detailing the disruption to the pitches.

North Walkden FC also suffered damage in October to their Amblecote playing fields when they were left unpayable after donut and racing marks were left at the pitch, overnight.

A representative from North Walkden FC said: “A car has been on overnight and now ruined what pitches we had left forcing us on to one astro between 30 teams and paying prices that will fold the club if not addressed as we simply can’t afford them. We have managed to keep football affordable for the parents/guardians but they will have to fork out more money with what’s already struggling times.

“The reality is kids will stop playing as it’s too expensive. If this was more central to Manchester or an area with money the problem would of been addressed years ago. Because it’s Little Hulton and Walkden on the edge we get forgotten about, again. Promise after promise broken.”

North Walkden FC pay Salford City Council to facilitate the games. But the council’s Grounds Maintenance team have been made aware of the issue and are dealing with it in due course.

The damage has meant that the club which provide 30 teams across different age groups and playing levels are having to play on one AstroTurf pitch which the club are having to hire out as the adult team require changing facilities.

Support has showered in from the community on social media.

Sorry to see this guys, hopefully you get some help or support with it.

— AFC Oldham 🦉 (@AFCOldham) November 21, 2022

On their social media, North Walkden FC have appealed to Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, for support. They said: “We have been promised a lot and nothing has ever materialised. No base, 1 changing room we can’t use because it’s condemned with mould and a roof that leaks horrendously.”

With this not being the first time vandalism has happened the North Walkden FC Chairman, Ben Power, said: “They’ll probably turn to crime or turn to just being nuisances and they could cause damage to your properties [so] we’re just trying to help the communities and help the children round here.”