Dog dirt and needles would be things of the past under plan

Published on Monday 29 December 2008 09:16

A THRIVING amateur football club is hoping to transform the derelict tennis courts on Leith Links into an all-weather football pitch for hundreds of young players.

Leith Athletic has around 600 youngsters, aged between four and 21, enrolled in its soccer school and league teams, but before every match the volunteer coaches have to scour the pitches at Leith Links, removing discarded needles and dog dirt to ensure the players' safety.

The club now hopes to renovate the park's tennis courts, which have lain derelict for decades, and also wants to upgrade changing facilities, enabling it to accommodate female players for the first time.

Members are hoping that local people and businesses will come forward and donate time or money to develop the club, work which they estimate will cost at least 75,000.

Coach Roy Reynolds, 47, said a new pitch could be kept more secure than the open playing fields.

He said: "The part of the Links that has tennis courts was given to the people of Leith for recreation and it's been lying derelict for 30 or more years.

"If there are any businesses that could come along and help fund it with us it would be absolutely brilliant for the kids. It would give them a better surface and a safe surface that's not got any dog dirt that we have to clear up, with no needles about. It would just give them their own place that they would be proud of."

Mr Reynolds, a taxi driver who lives in East Restalrig Terrace, added: "Young people feel a tremendous sense of belonging here. They get a real sense of pride.

"It's about something much bigger than themselves, being part of a team. Youngsters learn about discipline, commitment and respect for yourself and others."

The club has two sets of changing rooms, one near St John's Place, which is used for primary-age youngsters, and another near Restalrig Road for older players. Both are in need of repair.

In the new year, club members also plan to meet with representatives of Edinburgh City Council – which owns the courts – to discuss the site.

An application has already been made to the Scottish Government's CashBack for Communities scheme, which pays the proceeds of crime out to grassroots projects.

Leith-based communications agency, Design Links, is supporting the effort, and the firm's managing director, Mike Stevenson, volunteered to help draw up the CashBack application.

He said: "Leith Athletic can give an opportunity to hundreds of boys and girls of all ages to get healthy in body and mind and, learn to play their favourite sport, and to get a real boost to their self-confidence and future prospects in life. It is a story of determination, imagination, persistence, hard work and a 'can do' attitude."