CALL FOR NEW ALL WEATHER FOOTBALL PITCH FOR BRECHIN

24/04/2007

Scottish Conservative Candidate for North Tayside Murdo Fraser and Council Candidate for Brechin & Edzell Elaine Milne have called on Angus Council to improve football facilities in Brechin and to investigate installing a full sized synthetic “astro-turf” pitch in Brechin.

Murdo wrote to Angus Council in March and outlined the need for an all weather football pitch for youngsters to develop their skills.  Currently there are no full sized all-weather pitches in Brechin and youngsters have to travel to Arbroath in order to use the astro-turf pitches when Brechin’s grass pitches cannot be used after bad weather.  In response to Murdo’s call for an astro-turf pitch, Angus Council Chief Executive David Sawers replied:

“Angus Council has considered resurfacing the existing multi-purpose court at Brechin Leisure Centre with a synthetic playing surface but as yet funding has not been identified for this project.  A full size synthetic “astro-turf” pitch has not been identified for the Brechin area although there is a proposal, being led by Montrose Football Club, to provide such a facility at Links Park in Montrose.”

Commenting, Murdo said:

“There is a strong football presence in Brechin, with Brechin City FC and the Junior team being strongly supported by the town.  As well as the Senior and Junior team, Brechin has a number of boys and girls clubs, which underlines how popular football is in Brechin.   That is why I want to see Brechin get its own all weather football pitch so Brechin’s youngsters can use the facility and enjoy playing their football close to home.  It is not right that currently Brechin’s youngsters have to travel to Arbroath to use the astro-turf pitches.

“I urge Angus Council to put funding in place for an all weather football pitch in Brechin.  I believe that the Council should work with local football teams and the community to find a suitable location for the pitch and then press ahead with it as soon as possible.  It would be a great facility for the town and will give youngsters in Brechin a quality football pitch that can be used all year round.”

Elaine Milne, Scottish Conservative Candidate for Brechin and Edzell, said:

“I will work to see that Brechin gets its own all weather football pitch.  Angus Council must recognise that football has a strong tradition in Brechin and I want to see Brechin’s youngsters have the best football facilities in their own area instead of having to travel to Arbroath or Montrose.  Angus Council must not forget about Brechin and I will campaign to see that our city gets the football facilities that the people of Brechin deserve.”