20/01/2025
𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝟑𝐆 𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬, 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐬
Since our pitches were built near 3 years ago now we have asked ALL visitors (players, coaches, photographers) to our 3G facility at Poltonhall to wear football boots with moulded studs when using the facility. Generally we have no issues and genuine people will turn up and if they have forgotten their boots they will use a pair from our boot bin. Others, a minority all ADULTS despite being informed of our Boot Rule prior to attendance will turn up contest our rules, claim all sorts of excuses why they shouldn't wear boots, pressurise our caretakers and coaches and try to bully their way into the 3G pitches. All disrespecting our folk, caretakers and coaches who are merely trying to preserve the facilities for our kids and future visitors.
To help the situation we recently invested in new boots for the boot bin, basic boots at £18 a pair. In the space of three months 4 pairs of boots haven't been returned effectively STOLEN by those we try to help!
WHY DO WE HAVE A BOOT RULE ? The manufacturer of the 3G carpet advised that along with regular maintenance wearing football boots with moulded studs is the best way to prolong the life of the surface. We as a community club worked hard to achieve our facility which effectively belongs to our players - kids!
The pitch will one day need replaced to which we are budgeting and have a sink fund to replace the surface in the years to come. If we have to replace it earlier than expected due to allowing flat soled or astro trainers on the 3G we potentially have a problem and may be forced to use a sub standard pitch for everyone including our visitors.
Please don't be offended if we refuse access to the 3G if you don't have the correct footwear - the same rule applies to our own coaches, we aren't selective.
IF anyone reads this and realises they have taken a pair of boots from our boot bin please don't be embarrassed feel free to hand them back where they belong.
