'It’s like a mud bath' - Council digger damage criticised for state of football pitches in Shifnal

Roadworks on Coppice Green Lane in Shifnal have caused chaos along the route – with two-way traffic lights in place this week.

Now, football club Shifnal Harriers claims it will not be able to play a number of games because of the state of the pitch.

Dave Bott, who stepped down as chairman of the club on Tuesday, has explained how plant hire vehicles have been driving up and down the sidelines – causing deep tyre marks close to the pitch leaving a “mud bath” behind the goal.

“While the workers have been digging the road up, they’ve had the plant hire running up the sides of the pitches,” he said.

“They just aren’t bothered about the local kids playing football. You want them to support the local community.

“It’s a ditch right up the touchline, when they started doing it they moved the pitch across which made it narrower to play on.

“Now the ditch caused by all the plant hire is right up against the pitch. You can’t go and take a throw in or a corner. I’ve been told it’s like a mud bath behind the goal.”

The under 13 and under 14 teams of Shifnal Harriers, as well as Shifnal Europeans and Shifnal United, rely on the pitches off Coppice Green Lane to play their matches on.

Telford United’s girls teams also play there, according to Mr Bott.

Shropshire Council have been carrying out the roadwork, which saw the lane shut for eight weeks in August and September.

Meanwhile Non-league Shifnal Town also complained of difficulties due to the roadworks, and issued a reminder that the clubhouse was still open for people to watch the internationals.

Southampton Football Club’s under 23 side also faced disruption and had to cancel a training session at Pheonix Park ahead of a match against their Wolverhampton Wanderers counterparts because their coach could not get down the lane diversion.

Mr Bott said the pitches were ripped up originally around two months ago – but more track marks have appeared in recent weeks.

He added: “On Facebook we’ve had a referee who said adults wouldn’t play on it because it’s not safe. The matches will have to be cancelled because they can’t play on it. It’s only one pitch but two or three games will have to go.”

Previously, Shropshire Council has said it was aware of a number of issues relating to the works on Coppice Green Lane and the various concerns of local residents.

Shropshire Council was unavailable to comment.