Sports clubs worried about future after pitch fee hike

The cost of renting a sports pitch in Caerphilly County Borough increased by 12% this month – leaving some football clubs worried about the future.

One of those is Llanbradach Football Club, which currently has more than 150 players on its books.

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer, Llanbradach chairman Kenny Ball said: “All of the clubs around here are run voluntarily. We’re all struggling enough as it is with the cost of bills, and this is making the situation worse. 

“We have nine teams here, including two girls’ sides. It would be a huge shame if these were ever lost due to financial difficulties.” 

Llanbradach FC have it tougher than most, with its sides playing on three separate council-owned pitches within the village. 

Mr Ball continued: “To rent a pitch and changing room can cost up to £50 a match. Add on the increased cost of paying for a referee and it’s a lot. 

“We are the cheapest side in the borough, and we’d really hate to increase our fees – but we might have to if we want to survive. 

“Even if we do increase costs, it won’t cover the actual running of the club, which is up to volunteers. It’s a sad situation as the pitches aren’t even particularly well looked-after by the council.” 

The 12% increase was originally planned to be 20% before Caerphilly County Borough Council reduced it as part of its budget, which was agreed in February.

Cllr Chris Morgan, cabinet member for leisure services, said £405,000 had been spent on upgrading community centres over the past five years. 

Prior to April 2023, to rent a football or rugby pitch with a changing room for one match would set a club back £48.27. Now that figure would be £54.06. 

Training costs will also rise by 12%, meaning the previous fee of £22.71 has now risen to £25.43. 

Despite this amendment, Llanbradach councillor Colin Mann, of Plaid Cymru, is still unhappy with the “extra burden” placed on amateur clubs.

Cllr Mann said: “ The clubs rely on volunteers to keep them going and there are already enough cost pressures without the fees going up by even more than inflation. 

“Playing kits for even the youngest players cost several hundred pounds and if it was not for sponsorship many teams would really struggle to pay for the kits. 

“This income from the rise is such a small part of the overall council budget that it should not have been considered, let alone implemented.”

Cllr Mann added: “The football club in Llanbradach caters for hundreds of boys and girls and gives them a healthy interest rather than the alternative of hanging around with nothing to do – which can result in young people causing issues within the community.” 

Aber Valley FC, who play in the top division of the South Wales Alliance League, have also voiced their concerns.

Coach Dean Wood said: “Unlike rugby, we don’t receive any funding from the FAW [Football Association of Wales], this makes running a club extremely difficult. 

“At the level we play at we’re still relying on volunteers to keep the club going and will have to look towards grants and fundraising events in the future.” 

For the teams towards the top of the football pyramid in Caerphilly, like Trethomas Bluebirds, the cost to play matches is already very high. 

The Bluebirds play out of the only Welsh Premier League approved stadium in the county at the Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach.  

David Evans is chairman of the club and said: “Because of the quality of the facilities it does cost a lot more to play here. 

“If we play two matches a week, which we sometimes do, then including referee costs we can pay several hundred pounds.

“We get no help from anyone and haven’t received a grant of any kind for three years from the FAW. 

“We’re a big club so this increase won’t tip us over the edge, but it certainly doesn’t help.” 

The FAW have been approached for comment.