A 20-year-old football team fears they may fold as they say pitch rent prices are astronomical. 

Clydeside Athletic FC – based in Glasgow - is a Saturday amateur team that burst onto the scene in 2001. 

Currently playing in the premier division of the Glasgow Saturday Morning College League, the team has previously won their league, as well as a few cups and trophies along the way.  

But as the price of a two-hour weekend game at their ground Petershill Park has risen from £86 to £300 in recent years, the club worries the end may be right around the corner. 

(Image: Clydeside Athletic FC coach Carlo Morlotti at Petershill Park. Pictures taken by Gordon Terris, News)

 

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Carlo Morlotti, Manager of Clydeside Athletic FC, told the Glasgow Times: “We have been training at Petershill Park for the last 10 years and are now being quoted £300 for a two-hour game on a Saturday. 

“No one can afford that amount of money for a weekend game, no matter what level you are. It’s astronomical and I can’t even see the logic in it. 

“It is unreasonable for us to ask people or parents for £25 to play a game of football. This is going to mean fewer, and fewer people can play, and Clydeside AFC might fold. 

“We’re talking about a 20-year-old team becoming homeless.” 

It comes after we previously spoke to North East team St Roch’s who said the cost to let a pitch in the city had left the club forking out about £1400 a month. 

St Roch’s said the prices are killing football and turning the sport into a rich man’s game. 

(Image: Clydeside Athletic FC coach Carlo Morlotti at Petershill Park. Pictures taken by Gordon Terris, News)

But it is not just the future of the club and the financial pressure on players that Carlo worries about. 

“This is not just a Saturday league, it is men’s mental health we are talking about,” Carlo explained. 

He continued: “It also means a lot of kids won’t be able to afford to play and that leads to youngsters getting into drinking drugs and crime. It is really worrying.”

(Image: Clydeside Athletic FC coach Carlo Morlotti at Petershill Park. Pictures taken by Gordon Terris, News)

The club train weekly in Springburn and play at Petershill Park between 10am and 12pm every second Saturday. 

Petershill is owned by Partick Thistle Charitable Trust (PTCT) who agreed to a 25-year community asset transfer from Glasgow City Council in January 2021.

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It is understood that the trust offered Carlo a deal of £210 for two hours rather than £300 as they had used the pitch for a decade. But Carlo thought the price – compared to their previous £150 – is unacceptable and a reflection of “greed”. 

Carlo added: “With £300 coming out every second Saturday and £60 per session for training, it means we can’t afford to play games anymore. 

“I know inflation is high and everything is going but this increase just feels like greed. For a charity, the price increase doesn’t feel very charitable.” 

(Image: Clydeside Athletic FC coach Carlo Morlotti at Petershill Park. Pictures taken by Gordon Terris, News)

However, PTCT insisted that the price rise for Clydeside and other teams was a reflection of their own struggles with rising costs.

They also said that the rise comes due to recent upgrades to Petershill such as resurfacing and the installation of floodlights. 

Fraser Cromar, CEO of PTCT, said: “We are aware of the concerns of Clydeside Athletic FC. 

“The upgrading of the facility has been challenging not only for us but also for the clubs and groups that have used and have relied upon the facility for years. The issue with floodlights which was only uncovered after the work had started has meant time delays but more concerningly increased costs in completing the facility. 

“The added cost to complete the work is an additional £62,000 plus VAT as well as the extended time that we don’t get any revenue into the charity means we are funding a gap of around £100k. 

“Much has been said about the increased costs to clubs which is absolutely correct however we are not immune to that, utility costs, insurance, maintenance, wages, and equipment to name but a few have increased at an alarming rate over the last few years for all which include Partick Thistle Charitable Trust, and we can’t continue to offer the facility, pitches and services at a loss.

“I absolutely appreciate and sympathise with Clydeside Athletic FC’s predicament which is why the Trust has offered the use of the facility at a reduced rate, however, we are a charity and for us to continue the work we do supporting the local community and the residents who need help the most we need to be sustainable.”