Pitch is trip hazard, warns football coach

Users of a community sports pitch on Mull could get hurt unless a dangerous hole in the astroturf is fixed quick.

Despite requests for repairs over the last two years, the hole at Tobermory’s Kenny Macintyre Memorial Sports Facility is getting bigger.

Tobermory School has access to the pitch during teaching hours, with the community having access in the evening and weekends, says Rhia Edwards who coaches children’s football there every week.

There are numerous clubs and groups that use it, including Tobermory Rockers Junior Football Club and Tobermory Divas Girls’ Football Club.

Mull Hockey Club, the adults football and sometimes rugby clubs, along with numerous fitness groups are among other users.

Rhia told The Oban Times this week: ‘It is definitely a trip hazard, likely to cause ankle twists. Also the goalkeepers are at risk of cuts from it when diving as the ground underneath the astroturf is wood, I believe, and there are stones and other rough materials in the hole.’

Although there have been no known injuries as yet, Rhia added: ‘I think that is more down to luck than anything.

‘No one wants to take responsibility for fixing the pitch and everyone claims it is someone else’s problem to fix.’

‘No one has been out to look at the issues as far as I am aware. I seem to be no further forward than when I first reported it in 2019. There has been very little maintenance since the pitch was relaid a few years ago, with other issues such as weeds around the edge of the pitch, damage to some of the fence panels and goal posts, and issues with the eight flood lights working,’ said Rhia, who has also contacted Argyll and Bute councillor for Mull, Mary-Jean Devon, as well as the island’s community council.

Willie Hume, who was a friend of keen sportsman and respected BBC political correspondent Kenny Macintyre, whose name was given to the sports facility, said: ‘Kenny would have been horrified it’s taking this long to get the problems sorted. It’s scandalous the time it has taken so far. It’s a fantastic facility, well-used by the community, but it needs attention.’

A spokesperson for Argyll and Bute Council said: ‘We are aware that an area of astroturf needs replaced within the goal of the all-weather pitch, and we are making arrangements for this to be carried out.’

These youngsters are just some of the many users fed up with the bad state of the pitch at Tobermory; and right, the hole is getting bigger the longer it is left, and is a danger to the many children and others who use the pitch.