East of England sees major decrease of pitches since 2010

Since 2010, the number of pitches has gone from 501 down to 466 in the East of England.

Pitches are used by players of all ages and their loss jeopardises the numbers of those progressing from youth football into the adult game.

Community - Young people in the Colchester area will one day hope to wear the Colchester kit, giving them every opportunity is so important (Image: Credited)

Colchester and District Sunday League chairman Jonathan Burns said: “It’s a problem from the league's point of view. Teams are having to come to us for pitches.

“The pitches are decreasing due to maintenance costs.

"Artificial pitches cost a lot to play on but grass pitches cost a lot to maintain.”

In Colchester, the statistics buck the trend as they have increased from 19 in 2010 to 21 in 2023.

Development - There has been positives to the Colchester area, making certain venues available for young people to play sport (Image: Credited)

A spokesman from Colchester City Council said: “We are committed to providing high-quality sports facilities for our residents and are pleased to report an increase in the number of council-owned football pitches, from 19 in 2010 to 21 in 2023.

“These pitches are vital for young people's physical and mental wellbeing. Football promotes healthy exercise, teamwork, and social interaction. It can help reduce stress, improve mood, and build self-esteem.

“We're proud to be bucking the regional trend and supporting grassroots football and these valuable community assets.

“We are always exploring ways to make the best use of our resources and welcome opportunities to work with local communities to ensure the continued provision of pitches that meet the needs of our residents.”

In total the number of pitches which have been lost across the UK since 2010 stands at 926.

In 2010 the number stood at 6,910 and that had decreased to 5,984 in 2023.