For most of us classic games do not take place in grounds and stadiums. They take place in the parks, school yards and spare bits of land.

So it wasn't surprising there was an outcry when St John's Artificial turf in Blackburn was ripped up and replaced with asphalt. There were safety reasons why the turf had to be replaced. But financial reasons it seems will make sure it remains that way.

The school have always been aware that the area was used by members of the community. They were kind enough to allow the pitch to be used by all communities and even host a series of summer tournaments.

However, it seems that feeling wasn't echoed elsewhere. The school just couldn't afford the money needed to replace the area with an artificial pitch.

So where does this leave all the youngsters who through the years have used the area to play games that sometimes last days. Well, they will have to make do with the asphalt. Simple.

Now, if there was any sense in local councils and those that run them - all the way up to the Council Leaders - they would understand that certain areas of play are needed. It is where we and now those youngsters after us spent days and weeks playing all sorts of sports.

Over the years inner city areas in towns and cities across the North West have seen spare plots of land being transformed. Where there was spare land, there are now are now houses, mosques and private car carks. Where there was an alleyway there are now "No Ball games' signs up.

We as a community have been just as guilty. We elect some local councillors who fail to see the benefit of sport in their communities. If you want youngsters off the streets they need play areas and they need them to be free. It's just so simple. A couple of grand extra here and there will not make huge dents in the yearly budget.

The power of sport and how it affects neighbourhoods is always underestimated. To the detriment of local communties and to the detriment of youngsters.