Work to start to protect sports pitches from anti-social behaviour as part of £278,000 King George V playing fields development

Article date: 23 March 2022

As part of a £278,000 scheme to improve King George V (KGV) playing fields, home to Haydock Warriors ARLFC and Haydock FC, work is due to start this month (March) to build fencing around rugby and football pitches to reduce the impact of dog fouling and inappropriate use of playing pitches which has led to matches being called off due to damage caused by scrambler bikes.   

Funded by councillor improvement fund (CIF) money, with contributions from developer Bericote and the Rugby League World Cup 2021, other significant developments which form part of the project include:

• Improvements to the pavilion
• The installation of a three-metre-wide footpath with timber edging to encourage activities such as walking and cycling
• Repositioning of sports pitches to allow both rugby and football clubs to achieve their development plans   

Meanwhile, work has also been carried out to enhance the overall appearance of the playing fields by opening views across King George V through tree and shrubs improvement works, with the potential of motorbike restrictions at access points to prevent scrambler bikes from entering the field.   

Commenting on a recent visit to KGV, Councillor Anthony Burns, St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Culture and Heritage, said: "Improvements to KGV is something we've supported for some time. Among our key priorities as a council is to promote good health and create a green, thriving and vibrant place to be proud of so It's great to come down to see first-hand the positive changes that have already been made, with even more on the way.   

"Once complete, this development will breathe new life into KGV and will prove to be a real community asset which I'm sure will be welcomed by local residents."   

Commenting on how much a difference the development will make to their club, John Bradbury from Haydock Warriors ARLFC, said: "Haydock ARLFC greatly welcome these much-needed improvements to KGV. This will help us to grow as a club and allow us to carry on providing grassroots rugby league to the community of Haydock and the surrounding areas. 

"This is the first step of the club's mission to provide an improved playing and social environment for the club for future generations to come." 

Geoff Bate from Haydock FC said: "As a club we welcome any improvements that will help us achieve what we want for football in Haydock. The fencing off of the pitches will help us to maintain the pitch to a better standard and stop any vandalism that has affected us in the past. 

"From this, the club can push on to better things for the children and adults involved in football in Haydock."