Team is left out in the cold

Last summer, the curtain lifted on a new 3G pitch, floodlights and changing facilities for Lochend Youth Football, which would be available for 200 local children every week.

It was the culmination of widespread community fundraising and a deal with the council to vacate the old pitch to make way for a care home.

But six months on, the city council won't let the club have access to the new facilities because it has failed to secure water and, until recently, electricity to the building.

It is causing immense frustration, costing the club both money and members. Youngsters, meanwhile, have to arrive and go home in dirty training gear, while parents must brave the elements without shelter.

Club leader Jimmy Urquhart said: "The battle to have a home has been going on for 20 years. It's infuriating. It is right in front of us but we still can't get there. This was supposed to take four weeks back in the summer. Here we are after Christmas in the same position."

The deal was struck between the club and the council when the new Marionville care home was built on what was the club's old pitch.

As part of the arrangement, it was agreed the council would build a new floodlit, all-weather pitch with changing facilities.

In addition, the club secured a 50,000 grant from the Scottish Government's Cashback for Communities scheme, and undertook various other fundraising drives over the years. Fellow committee member Gary Amos said: "The cabins were supposed to be two changing areas with showers, a hub for the parents and kitchen facilities. It also faces towards the pitch, so if it was raining, the parents could watch with a bit of shelter. As it is, the kids arrive in their kit and go home in it. The parents are furious. We don't have any idea why it is taking so long."

The delay is also putting off the club's vision to use the facility for other sports. Mr Urquhart added: "You see projects like the boxing gym in Lochend and how it has had a positive impact in the community. We want to do that here, but until there are proper changing facilities, that won't be possible."

Cllr Deidre Brock, the city's culture and leisure leader, blamed the weather for the delay. She said: "I'm delighted the new 3G pitch has been such a success since it opened last summer, although it hasn't yet been possible to hand over the completed changing facilities. Severe weather has inevitably further hampered the situation. However, we are optimistic Scottish Water will resolve the outstanding water connection issue soon."