SOCCER-MAD salesman Mark Marle will put his powers of persuasion to the test to campaign for a football pitch for his pub team to play on.

Mark says that fields behind the Sherwood Pub would be ideal for his team to entertain rivals from other Preston drinking houses.

The land was overgrown until the council chopped the grass and laid down drainage facilities a few years ago, with plans to develop sports pitches. But since then, it seems the fields have been forgotten.

Mark, 27, said: "Money has been spent on this pitch and it's left for dogs to foul on.

"It's especially frustrating as the Sherwood team has to play on Moor Park and we've had six games postponed this season due to waterlogging."

He has now enlisted the help of Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans who will help draw up a Lottery bid to pay for dressing room facilities and showers on the site, with two football pitches mapped out.

The facilities would also be used by local residents and nearby schools such as Sherwood County Primary.

Mark said: "It would be ideal for youngsters from the Fulwood Colts to use - they have to use a pitch in Longridge. It would be a real community centre."

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