Latest NewsThursday October 15, 2020UCLan Sports Arena - Statement from the Leagues AffectedIn response to the announcement from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) dated the 12th October 2020. We are devastated to find that a decision by UCLan has been made to withdraw the use of grass pitch facilities for clubs in the community at the Sports Arena with immediate effect. Following a sudden change of strategy, local clubs have now been forced to try find alternative facilities. The situation is aggravated by the fact that the clubs using the facilities were not given the courtesy of reasonable notice and as such have not been able to make appropriate arrangements for the coming season. The City of Preston and its sporting community who have supported the expansion of the university and its associated facilities for more than 20-years have now been cast aside. Despite previous funding from the National Lottery and Sport England for community use, the University has decided this is no longer a viable option. At a time when grassroots football and its volunteers are under immense pressure due to the current Covid-19 situation, any further setbacks such as this, will have a detrimental effect on the mental health and well-being of these hard-working individuals. The announcement has the potential to damage the grassroots game and alter the face of junior, youth, girl’s, and open age football across the city for years to come. In total there are over 25 clubs and more than 1000 participants that the new strategy will impact. The teams concerned have made financial commitments to their sponsors and players for the forthcoming season. Losing their pitches would leave them with nowhere to play, sponsors demanding refunds and long-established clubs having to fold.We are aware a number of clubs have already paid for the hire of the pitches for this season but there was no consideration in terms of informing the clubs prior to accepting payment for the hire. This approach meant that the clubs were completely misled by the university into believing that they could play their matches at the Sports Arena as they have done for the last 20 years, the university knew full well that this was not the case. The way this has been handled by the Vice Chancellors Group has been nothing short of appalling. They have given no consideration whatsoever as to the affect this will have on the wider Preston community. The detrimental impact within the local footballing community is immeasurable. The affected clubs were invited into the facility to provide an income but their loyalty over this time has been completely disregarded. Having considered our position, we are calling on UCLan to reverse their decision and to allow the clubs to continue to utilise the facilities.The above statement is issued on behalf of the following: Central Lancs Junior Football LeagueLancashire Sunday Football League Mid Lancs Colts Junior Football League Mid Lancashire Football League Preston North End Women FC West Lancashire Football League
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Ian also offers 30% discount to all member clubs on prices shown in current PRECISION TRAINING catalogue, which can be seen on SKkits.
You can contact Ian anytime on 07960 137232 or email Ian Senior.
Ian attends all our League Meetings and he provides a quick and reliable service to member clubs.
A total of 122 kits have been donated by our clubs to date.
If you have a spare kit you can donate to the Appeal, please contact Eamonn McNamara.
The Lancashire Sunday League encourages all referees to become members of the Referees Association and it is League policy to give priority of appointments to those referees who are an RA member.
Preston Referees Society is based at Preston North End Football Club, Sir Tom Finney Way, Preston, PR1 6RU, they meet on the first Monday of each month during the football season and everyone is welcome to attend their meetings. The meetings start at 7.30pm and usually finish around 9.00pm.
Anyone interested in joining Preston Referees Society or has any queries about refereeing should contact the Society Secretary Shaun Taylor here.
For further details about the physical training sessions please contact Paul Marsden here.
Lancashire Sunday Football League is always happy to accept new referees to its list of officials. If you have any enquiries about refereeing on the League or would like to be added to the list of officials, please contact the League's Referee Manager Mark Moore here.
Mid Lancashire Football League operates on Saturday afternoons for Open Age clubs and they are also happy to accept new referees to its list of officials. If you have any enquiries about refereeing on the League or would like to be added to the list of officials, please contact the League's Referee Secretary Tony Hawkes here.
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