The government and Premier League are coming under increasing pressure from a Bolton MP due to their unwillingness to increase funding for grassroots football while the future of England’s national game appears to be in decline.
David Crausby, who represents Bolton North East, launched a petition in February calling for the Premier League to give more assistance to community clubs, many of which are struggling to stay alive.
So far over 21,000 people have signed the appeal and it needs over 100,000 by the deadline in just over a month’s time, however the government has responded to it saying the top flight already makes a significant contribution.
“I am very disappointed that the government took almost five months to deliver this response and yet they don’t seem to have addressed the issues that have been raised,” Mr Crausby said in a press release.
“In these tough times we need to see a bigger commitment to protect grassroots football, and this should come direct from the Premier League.”
The petition asked the Government to support moves to commit the Premier League to give 7.5% of broadcasting rights to grassroots football, following the announcement the £3bn would be generated through television rights in the next three seasons.
Despite a huge impetus currently being placed by the FA on getting more kids active and improving the standard of young players coming through, the Government feels current funding was sufficient.
“The Government works closely with the football authorities to ensure that the grassroots benefits from a proportion of the broadcast rights revenue generated by the Premier League,” their replay read.
Former Manchester City player Joey Barton has openly backed the campaign and on his website, claiming that basic facilities such as playing fields are being affected.
Despite producing players like Steven Gerrard, Peter Reid, David Nugent and himself that have all represented England, his childhood area of Huyton is now struggling to field a youth team.
“Grassroots football remains the cornerstone of English football,” he said.
“The game played on a Sunday morning at your local playing field, is the exact same game you tune into later that afternoon.”
Mr Crausby has said he is not optimistic about reaching the target 100,000 signatures by the petition’s closing date of February 20 but refuses to give up the fight.
He is now determined to gather support amongst other backbenchers and will try to take the issue up in the House of Commons.
“I will continue to campaign on this issue. It is time for us to have a real debate on how grassroots sport is funded and I want to thank everybody that has backed the campaign so far,” he said.
Image courtesy of Iain Lees, with thanks.
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