MADAM,

I am writing to express my concern and disappointment regarding the lack of support from both the people of Monmouth and the council towards the town’s football club.

Ten years ago the football club competed in the bottom of the Gwent County League against tiny villages in the county. Today, they compete against some of the biggest names in Welsh Football including Barry Town, Haverfordwest and Port Talbot Town.

Many of these clubs have a playing budget of two thousand pound per game to pay players. The local players of this town play for nothing. Week after week the Town travel to some fantastic facilities that include 500 seater stands, floodlights and state of the art 3G pitches.

The ridiculous and absurd ’village green’ status prevents the club from developing the ground and will, ultimately face relegation on ground criteria within the next few years.

The ground has to be cleared of glass and litter prior to games and training for the younger age groups as we are ’not allowed’ to enclose it.

The football club can’t host pre-season friendlies. Friendlies that would invite big clubs such as Newport County and Hereford FC and in turn generate a great deal of income. The football club can’t use the bar in the summer when major international football tournaments are screened.

The village green status means we can’t charge spectators to come and watch, again raising much needed income for the club.

It was increasingly disappointing to hear that a member of the public had reported the club for the noise from the club house when we held our annual end of season awards night, resulting in a substantial fine for the club.

We have a small yet extremely hard working committee that are close to giving up due to the constant obstacles placed in front of them and the team. The club is on the brink of breaking point, and that would be an absolute travesty for the town and its 300 playing members from ages seven to seniors.

In truth, we need our own football facility if we are going to compete at the level we are now. We are only one division off the Welsh Premier League but need support from the local people, businesses and council to continue.

Town have their first home game on Saturday 3rd September and would love to see as many local people turn up and support their local team. Should anyone want to get involved with the club, in any way whatsoever, please get in touch and we will be extremely grateful. As the motto went for the recent Euro Championships where Wales reached the semi finals, together, stronger.

Monmouth Town FC