Manchester United icon Gary Neville has kickstarted a significant community project aimed at revitalising 50 of the UK's poorest quality football pitches. As the face of a national crusade, the Sky Sports commentator is championing the cause of Sunday league squads who have to contend with undefined lines and hazardous playing conditions marred by animal waste and shattered glass.
Neville, aged 50, threw his weight behind this vital initiative underlining the importance of nurturing grassroots football, which cannot thrive while its foundational levels are compromised. The ex-England back and co-owner of Salford City has joined forces with optics heavyweight Specsavers as the spearhead for their 'Best Worst Pitch' campaign, set to bestow upon 50 clubs essential groundskeeping provisions.
The legendary defender expressed his enthusiasm, remarking: "Anyone who has played football at one point or another has played on a dodgy pitch. Grassroots football is the foundation of our sport and it's great to be a part of the Best Worst Pitch initiative supporting the communities and volunteers who make it possible."
The upkeep of pitches in public areas frequently relies on the dedication of volunteers, including those who must complete pre-match checks to ensure the playing field is clear of litter or dog mess,
Specsavers has a longstanding commitment to supporting grassroots football through its annual quest to crown Britain's 'best worst team'.
Somerset League strugglers Tunley Athletic are the current title holders, and their chairman Craig Doughty acknowledged: "It's a real slog sometimes - every week, rain or shine, I'm out there doing two full laps of the pitch just to get the lines marked.
"The equipment we've got is ancient-it clogs, it leaks, and it takes twice as long as it should. On dark evenings or when the wind's howling, it feels like it takes forever. But I do it because I love this club-it means everything to the community."
In times past, professional football was played on fields that looked like rainforests or beaches at low tide, whereas most clubs across all four divisions now boast pristine, smooth surfaces akin to snooker tables.
However, at the lower levels of the footballing hierarchy, indistinct lines and patchy grass pitches can be a significant issue or present serious safety concerns. Moreover, teams at the bottom rung of the ladder cannot stretch their finances to include state-of-the-art 3G pitches that require minimal upkeep.