'Really disappointed': Glasgow locals angry over locked football pitch

Glasgow City Council made the decision to limit free access to the Cleveden Secondary School football pitch in the West End in mid-January.

Prior to the change, it was open to all on a walk-in basis and well-used by locals for physical activity and gatherings.

Lynsey Paterson lives in Kelvindale with her husband and two sons, both of whom are avid football players.

Lynsey Paterson and Cambell Ramage (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

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She said: “I am really disappointed with the council because they are not looking at the bigger picture here, which is the health and wellbeing of the community.

“They basically punished the community.

“There are two pedestrian gates onto the pitch and they have both been padlocked off.

“What has also happened since then is there has been some vandalism in the enclosure, higher up. So, kids are still getting in but they are climbing in.

“We have concerns for their health and safety."

The outrage has reached many neighbours and football lovers because this asset is the only one of its kind in the area.

Concerns are growing that the restriction will put kids in danger.

The 41-year-old added: “Within the Kelvindale area, we don’t have any other secure and safe places for children to congregate and be able to play.

“We are a very small community and it is highly populated, however, the green space is absolutely minimal.

“So, it is the only safe place where children, and to be honest, adults can go.

“We’ve got a good, active community Facebook page and over the Christmas break, we all met up and had fun with the kids and adults, playing football with each other.

“It’s used by a wide variety of people.

“All the years I have lived in Kelvindale, it has always been free access to that pitch.

"And my husband too, who was born and brought up here.

“It is definitely up to the council to support the kids in becoming more active, especially as we are moving into the lighter evenings and shorter nights."

Voicing her concerns about her children's safety, she said: “I would rather that my children and other people’s children were able to congregate there, than hang about in the streets.

“At the moment, my personal circumstances, I cannot allow my kids to go out to my street to kick the ball about because Kelvindale is very much used as a rat run for cars as well.

“It’s not safe, so they are losing out. They are having to stay at home and watch TV.

“Luckily, we have a back garden, they can play there but it’s not the same."

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A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: “School facilities across the city are managed out of hours through our community letting process and it is not possible to leave pitches open at all times.

“This is to reduce the risk of anything happening on-site without school janitors being present.

“This organisation was contacted to make them aware of the correct booking process.”