I feel compelled to reply to 'not allowed to play football' (the 'Post', April 9). These pitches are used by both college teams in the week, and nine junior teams, as well as a senior team, at Southgate Colts at the weekends.

It may seem that it is not a problem for one group of people to go and have a kick about, clear up any mess they brought with them, and not use the pitch if it is wet or likely to get damaged. The very big problem here, however, is that there is a huge problem with people who would not give this any consideration and will play (generally in one penalty area) whatever the weather or the state of the pitch, some even thinking the wetter the better and will go sliding around cutting the whole thing up. So when the weekend comes around, Southgate, who incidentally hire the pitches, at great cost, for so many teams over a season for use at weekends, have to cancel their league matches.

Having been a junior manager for eight years I have seen this happen again and again. They are used as a golf course, a bmx track, they have even had people riding motorbikes across the pitches, and once a person thought it would be fun to do 360 degree spins on the pitches in their car! So these people have spoiled it for everyone and the college had to put a ban on anyone using the pitch unless hired in the proper way.

I also feel it is a bit harsh to blame Launceston College for their stance. The lack of facilities in the town is surely down to the council. It is up to them to provide adequate space for people to play any game they wish. Not for the college to keep digging into their own tight budget to pay for the repair and upkeep of the pitches because some mindless people have damaged them again.

The grotesque lack of facilities in Launceston is clear for all to see, except of course those with the money and power to actually do something about it. The one pitch in town the council did own at Pennygillam was sold off to put up business units, annoyingly called 'South­gate Technology Park'.

U16s manager and Southgate Colts Chairman,

Launceston.