Grassroots football clubs in Wrexham could take control of own facilities to deliver improvements

A number of grassroots football teams in Wrexham are set to take the reins of their own facilities in a bid to deliver improvements.

Wrexham Council has been working jointly with the Football Association of Wales to achieve better pitches and changing rooms.

It comes after a review found many publicly owned sports fields were of a poor standard, while some suffered from vandalism and dog fouling.

A total of seven local clubs are now preparing to either lease or take on full management of their facilities to attract funding for upgrades.

The list includes Brymbo Lodge YFC, Rhos FC, Rhostyllen FC, Rhos Aelwyd FC, FC Queens Park, Llay United and Coedpoeth United.

The proposals will be discussed by the local authority’s executive board next week.

Ahead of their meeting, deputy council leader David A Bithell said it was hoped it would encourage more people to participate in sport.

In a report, he said: “Many of the existing facilities including pitches and pavilions need to be improved if we are to meet growth targets for women and girls and demands of existing participants.

“We need to work closely with our communities and the local football clubs to provide support to ensure they are strong and robust enough to take on facilities.

“Security of tenure also provides opportunities for clubs and community councils to attract investment and grant funding.
“We have a number of examples where asset transfer of facilities has transformed the quality of the asset and also has allowed communities and clubs to flourish.

“Whilst there is no current “one size fits all” approach, the football partnership is working with these organisations to provide help and support and we are also examining ways in which the asset transfer process can work more quickly and smoothly for the benefit of all parties.”

More than £700,000 has been invested in football facilities in Wrexham during the last year as a result of funding from the council, FAW, Welsh Government and Sport Wales.

Work has already got underway to create a new football pavilion in the village of Ponciau.

Members of the ruling administration will be asked to support the list of clubs to agree management arrangements with when they meet on Tuesday .

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter (more here on the LDR scheme)