I watched a youth foot- ball match at Sompting Recreation Ground last weekend.

The league proper starts this weekend.

I don’t know which local authority is responsible for maintenance of the football pitches at this recreation ground but the state of the goals was appalling. They are in desperate need of a coat of paint.

Apparently it is common practice for football clubs to provide their own nets for the goals. However, they do pay a fee to use the pitches for scheduled games and the lines are usually marked onto the grass. Goals without paint do not reflect value for money. Perhaps poorly visible goals contravene the rules of football? It is about time the authority responsible got its act together to provide our youth with the very basic of facilities.

I know this is the season of cuts and unnecessary austerity but the goals were in exactly the same condition during the last football season. Cameron, Clegg and Osborne were not in power then.

If Adur District Council is not prepared to right the matter, I would be more than happy to provide the paint and do the job myself. Oh, but hang on a minute, I suppose that is where health and safety would step in.

Ken Strudwick
Hayley Road, Lancing