6 days ago
Mulraney demands a halt to 'unacceptable' rising pitch costs
(Image: Craig Williamson - SNS Group / SFA) He presented a petition - started by Plains AFC after they had been quoted £288 for a two-hour let in North Lanarkshire - that has now gained almost 3500 signatures and provoked responses from all over the country, aimed at highlighting the widespread financial barriers grassroots clubs face just to find somewhere to play and train.
The former Alloa Athletic chairman has made the improvement and proliferation of accessible football facilities the mission of the game's governing body during his presidency, and he is determined to find a solution to the problem of rising pitch hire costs.
'Stories like the one outlined by Plains Amateur FC are becoming all-too-commonplace in local authorities across Scotland,' Mulraney told Herald Sport.
"It is unacceptable and is the reason I made improving facilities, and access to them, the number one priority for the association.
'Through our campaign, Pitching In, we have already raised £13.6m of our £50m target in the first six months of it going live - including Scottish FA profits and DCMS funding. That money will be invested in upgrading facilities in poor condition, laying pitches where the need is greatest, and ensuring changing rooms are welcoming and accessible to all, including girls, women and para footballers.
(Image: Craig Williamson - SNS Group / SFA) 'In addition, we need to represent our grassroots constituency and look at new ways to ensure boys and girls players of all ages and abilities can play football and are not priced out of our national game.
'In that regard, following my comments at the start of the year on the subject, only [on Thursday] we held a frank, open and constructive meeting with senior officers from COSLA in my office.
'My intention is to break this cycle and work innovatively - and quickly - to address the issue of people being priced out of the public football estate.'
