The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Spalding United has warned that the club needs a proper base to enable it to continue to grow and deliver a popular learning environment for hundreds of children.
With close to 300 boys and girls now involved in its teams from under-seven to under-18 age groups, the club says its nomadic existence is not sustainable in the long-term.
Training and matches are currently managed on council and school pitches in Spalding and four miles outside the town in West Pinchbeck.
Spalding United Youth chairman Phil Woolsey said: “We just want a home. We really need about 15 acres of land which we can have on a long lease.
“The funding is out there for us to develop it but we need a lease of at least 25 years to get it.”
Spalding United has taken big strides in recent years to become far more professional, with a proper link forged between the youth and senior teams.
With the addition of female sides from next season, there will be 18 teams under the Spalding United Youth umbrella, with 34 managers and assistants. All coaches are certified to FA Level 1.
Phil said: “We’re getting to the point where we’re maxed out.
“We’re currently the third biggest junior set-up in Lincolnshire and with these extra girls teams next season, we will be the biggest – but we’re struggling.
“There comes a point where we can’t take any more on.
“We can continue as we are but it’s far from ideal. The parents say to us that we haven’t got a home.
“We really need someone to help us out by leasing us some land. We’d be happy to pay the fees and rent.”
The youth section’s professional approach, encapsulated in a five-year blueprint, means the youngsters are learning about much more than football.
“We’re trying to give something to the children,” said Phil. “It’s not just about the football, it’s about health and fitness and life skills such as discipline, professionalism and being part of a team.”
In an ideal world, Spalding United would like a 4G (artificial) pitch at The Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field. The club pays fees to South Holland District Council as the field’s trustee and says the income from other users could be a good revenue stream for the local authority.
Director of youth and club development Chris Maplethorpe said: “A 4G pitch and clubhouse would be an investment for the whole of the community to use.”
Consideration has been given in the past to the granting of a long lease of the whole site to the football club but it was concluded that this was not in the best interests of the charity that owns the field or the council.
Last year, just a few miles away, the £500,000 Holbeach United Community Sports Academy – also known as Kings Academy – opened with seven purpose-built pitches and a community clubhouse.
