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Post by VCLXI on Jul 17, 2018 23:42:39 GMT
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markf
Top Performer
Posts: 3,326
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Post by markf on Jul 18, 2018 11:09:47 GMT
When the SCFA carried out a survey into the demise of 11 a-side adult football the biggest reason was the poor facilities and in particular the pitches.
The BBC article makes claim to cuts by councils but that has been going on for 20 plus years not just the last few.
As for the EFL, they are somewhat hamstrung by their members and let's face it, I doubt too many EFL chairman/boards are worried about Sunday morning footballers so don't expect any change soon in their negative approach to 3G.
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Post by pinewalker on Jul 20, 2018 18:47:38 GMT
As the chairman of a 50 member 11-a-side Sunday League for Men I have been at the sharp end of this story for most of my life. There are many reasons why grass roots men's Saturday and Sunday football is in decline, each one a topic in itself. Poor facilities are just one.
1-Unrealistic expectations of cheapness. I have just interviewed six new clubs, and two of the interviewees imagined they could over all expenses with a £5 per player match fee. It is now £10 needed, which is not a lot in the comparison with a night out or a couple of pints, but many players jib at it.
2-The above assumes a grass pitch. Councils charge £75 per hour (inc VAT) for a 3G pitch around here and to play a match means a 2-hour hire so £150. If all a teams matches were on 3G the match subs need to be £13.
3-Lung-power. The least likely factor for an outsider to guess. You can get away playing 5-a-side or even Futsal without having developed your lung capacity before you reach 18. But if you have not done aerobic activities at school, haven't cycled to school, and only played mini-soccer it is nigh on impossible to develop the lung capacity as an adult which is needed for 11-a-side.
4-Live and televised football on Sundays. Years ago you could support a top team home and away who played matches at 3pm Saturday, and not miss a game for your Sunday League team. No longer.
5-A huge expansion of alternative entertainment via computer at any time of day.
6 Anti-competitive attitude in school. This may no longer be true, but the legacy of 30 years teaching is still with us in the missing generation of players.
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Post by timbo on Jul 21, 2018 17:32:44 GMT
Good post Pine, Morden Sunday League used to be so strong but has been diminishing size for a good few years
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