Red card for event?
Football festival fears
A kids’ football extravaganza, which celebrates its 40th anniversary next year, faces the axe after a holiday park pulled the plug.
Organisers of the Ayr International Youth Football Tournament, which spawned stars such as Paul Gascoigne and Alan Shearer, fear they won’t now have the accommodation to cope.
Craig Tara Holiday Park, which is run by Haven Holidays, are refusing to take bookings for next May’s event.
Secretary Duncan McIntyre, who launched the prestigious event in 1978, said: “It seems some parents stepped out of line last year and now the kids are being tarred with the same brush.
“Haven tell me they won’t take bookings from us which is a major blow.
“Teams have stayed at Butlins and then Craig Tara for the last 39 years but if we can’t resolve this then the tournament may not go ahead.
“Around 2000 players take part so there is a lot of income brought to the region with local businesses benefitting.
“The bulk of the players have stayed at Craig Tara and 99.9 per cent have shown exemplary behaviour.
“There are not enough hotel beds and guest house accommodation if Craig Tara will no longer take bookings so the tournament is now in jeopardy. It wasn’t the boys – it was the parents who travelled with them that caused the problems. Youngsters are being penalised because of the actions of so called responsible adults.”
Mr McIntyre has now suggested that teams put up a good behaviour bond which would be forfeited if they step out of line.
And he is urging South Ayrshire Council to try and broker a deal.
He stressed: “This is too big an event for a minority’s actions to spoil it for everyone.”
But Craig Tara Holiday Park weren’t for changing their stance when approached by the Post on Tuesday.
A spokesman said: “We have been happy to host attendees at three football tournaments held locally for many years.
“In the case of this particular tournament, our formal arrangement with the organiser ended four years ago but we did allow a number of participants and their families to stay with us in the period since then.
“Sadly, we have experienced recurring incidents of behaviour from guests which has impacted on the enjoyment and safety of other families at the park.
“We have a primary duty to ensure that all our guests can enjoy their break with us. Whilst we are unable to offer accommodation for those attending the competition, we wish the tournament success for the future.”