Frantic start for Grange FC

YOUNGSTERS at Grange FC finally got their new season underway at their new home, Christ Church CofE Primary School.
They were forced to leave their old home at Horizon School due to issues with extending their pitch to accommodate 9-a-side football. It was found that the slope of the land and associated drainage issues were too difficulty and expensive to overcome, leaving the club with just a few days to sort out a venue for their first game of the season.
Councillor Geoff Settle said: “It was touch and go and I stepped in to act as a conduit to make sure that things were pulled together. I would like to thank the head of Christ Church CofE Primary and his site manager for the kind offer and help in hosting the clubs home games. It was very short notice for the new venue was only suggested on the Tuesday afternoon preceding the Saturday kick off of the new season.
“It was not until last Tuesday that we got the decision makers together in the Horizon head’s office. Once the issues preventing the pitch extensions required by the football league were understood we realised that we had to look elsewhere and 3 options were put forward.
“The most suitable suggestion, made by the WBC’s Streets & School Grounds Area Manager, was to move the home matches down Harpers road to Christ Church CofE Primary were the 9 a-side pitch could be laid across the two existing 7 a-side pitches. The head of Horizon contacted the primary school head who gave his tentative agreement. I was tasked with making sure the plan came together.”
Cllr Settle acted as a conduit and drew up an activity list of actions and responsibilities with the help of all involved. These included, signed agreements, cutting and lining the pitch, risk assessments, key holders, risk assessments and match day procedures.
This still left a lot of organising for the Grange FC secretary who said: “We had lots to sort out before the match. We had to produce a revised risk assessment and associated paper work for the new site. We had to walk down with all equipment (goal posts and nets) on the match day. Unfortunately the 9 a-side pitch had been white lined instead of another colour like blue. The pitch had just been cut the previous day, which was great but we had to rake the full field before the referee would allow the game to proceed. However we had a pitch to start off the new season which was a fantastic relief.
“Hopefully it will all pan out now that the future is safe as far as the pitch is concerned. I think that the delays and uncertainty leading up to the game against Crosfields affected the lad’s performance. It has been a very worrying and stressful time. However it all came together on the day. I would like to thank Horizon for the continued offer of training facilities and a big thank you to Christ Church CofE Primary head and site manager for their help and assistance in making it all possible.”