Anger over waterlogged Loanhead football pitch

Calls for an all-weather football pitch in Loanhead are being made after a local club had to cancel games because of rain.

The waterlogged football pitch in Loanhead.

Loanhead Miners Youth Football Club shared images of their pitch on Twitter two weeks ago showing it waterlogged and unplayable.

And their call for help is being backed by local councillors Kelly Parry and Debbi McCall who are demanding plans to improve the community pitch are brought forward.

In a motion to a meeting of Midlothian Council tomorrow elected members will be asked to back their call for officials to “bring forward a costed proposal, or proposals, to a meeting of the full council to address the issue, and specifically address the need and demand for an all-weather, 11 a side pitch in Loanhead”.

The Loanhead club shared a picture of the flooded pitch on social media on Friday, October 29 along with the message “As expected @LMYFC home pitches waterlogged, no luxury of Synthetic Pitch; Games OFF.

“@midgov look at our situation, you cannot keep ignoring us.”

In the motion to council tomorrow, the councillors voice their concern that the club, which has teams of all ages, is being put at risk by the situation.

Their motion says: “Midlothian Council believes that access to sport for young people is an essential part of their physical and mental well-being, can aid academic success, and can be a tool to prevent health and other inequalities of outcomes.

“Midlothian Council also recognises the value of LMYFC, and the dedication of LMYFC volunteers over the years to provide sporting opportunities for girls and boys of all ages.

“In a growing area like Midlothian West training and match facilities are not currently fit for purpose, and will be further pressured with a growing population.”

Councillors will be asked to support the motion and approve action by officers at the virtual meeting.