Pendle Charity Sunday League cancelled due to pitch fees

Pendle Charity Sunday League said declining numbers and ever-increasing costs have “made it untenable” for it to carry on.

Pendle Council said pitch fees increased for the 2023/24 season for the first time since 2014, adding it remains committed to supporting grassroots sports across the borough.

A spokesperson for the league said it hopes to return next year if more people express interest in joining in.

Chris Hogan, league secretary, said it was a really sad decision for everybody to cancel the season (Image: Chris Hogan)Chris Hogan, league secretary, said: “It was a really sad decision for everybody.

"We’ve been going for 57 years and we’ve had to call it a day [for the season].

“There are not enough teams and people don’t want to bother with football anymore.

“Thirty years ago we had 40 teams, mainly from Pendle, now we struggle to get 12 together.”

Chris said spiralling costs may have also contributed to a decline in numbers, and the council has increased pitch hire fees by 40 per cent in the last year.

Pitch fees were around £60 before the increase and now stand at around £100. These costs are passed on to the players.

Other costs include the referee, refreshments and kit washing.

“It’s an expensive game,” Chris said.

“People think it’s about turning up and kicking a ball about  but there is a lot more to it.

“The cost of hiring a pitch has gone up 40 per cent in the last year, which has had a knock-on-effect. The price appeared to increase overnight.

“It’s a gradual decline and I think it is a national issue. We have to charge players more to use the pitch.”

Chris said he was “really disappointed” with the council’s decision to increase pitch prices.

He said: “I was really disappointed. It was hard to speak with but at the end of the day a decision was made by the committee.

“The council is charging us £100 to kick a ball about on some grass for a couple of hours, it’s ridiculous really.

“I understand the council may be financially stretched so I can understand it from that point of view but you’d think this would be a priority.

“The games help with your health and mental well-being, but the council don’t seem bothered about that side of things.”

The League has been in existence since the 1960s and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018. Over the years it has raised many thousands of pounds for charities.

Chris hopes games will return next season.

He said: “A lot of our teams have gone across to Burnley League. We hope next season there will be an appetite for this again.

"We aren’t giving up and when we get past Christmas we will start advertising and see if there is interest for next year.

“You can see from comments on social media, this affects so many people in the area. A lot of people have great memories from getting involved in games. It would be really sad if this came to an end.

“We would like to thank everyone who has been involved in the League over the last 57 years, whether it’s as a player, manager or referee but especially all the current and previous committee members, who have worked tirelessly and devoted many hours of their time to ensure a high level of professionalism has been maintained throughout.

“We are not dead and buried yet - we hope to start again next season.”

A spokesperson for Pendle Council said: “Pitch fees increased for the 2023/24 season for the first time since 2014.

“This was due to ever-increasing costs leading to our inability to hold the fees at the levels they have been for the last 10 years, whilst still maintaining the pitches and providing attendants as needed.

“We have not put forward an increase for the 2024/25 season.

“Pendle Borough Council remains committed to supporting grassroots sports across the borough.”