A JUNIOR football club that was formed last year, is to be asked to contribute towards costs of upkeep at its Cockfield base.
Cockfield Juniors AFC was started when South West Durham junior U14s needed a new home last year.
They are based at the Pauline Charlton Sports Pavilion and hold training sessions twice a week and a competition match every Sunday during the season. Cockfield Juniors has teams for ages six to 16.
The parish council, keen to support the fledgling club, agreed to allow them free use of the Pauline Charlton Sports Pavilion and sports ground for training sessions and matches in order for them to get established.
However, councillors agreed at their latest meeting that the club would now need to contribute towards the upkeep of the grounds.
Chairwoman Cllr Brenda Singleton told members that electricity usage at the pavilion had increased by about £700 in the space of a year and that the club had already asked if floodlights could be installed.
She said: “When they first came, we said we would help and gave them the ground for free for a year. It has been a year now since they came. They only had teams for under eights. Now they now have five or six teams.
“I believe they have 90 odd members. We have to decide what to do.”
She added: “From May last year to May this year it has cost £1,394 for electricity.
“The year before it was £596. We need to agree to get an agreement because we can’t just continue giving and giving.”
Cllr Neville Singleton said: “Whether the football club is here or not Darren [parish maintenance man] cuts the grass twice a month.”
Cllr Christine Watters said: “If they have got a match, they use the meeting room and the kitchen. I think, rather than say about the cutting of the grass, we ask for a contribution.”
Cllr David Britton said: “Why can’t we charge them per teams playing?
“At first, they had one team, now they have six. They earn about £1,000 a month.”
Cllr Brenda Singleton added: “We will have to have a lease agreement for the club and we can detail what we will give them. We have given them a year for nothing.”
Cllr Watters said: “I think £500 is reasonable and it would cover the electricity, but if they want extra grass cuts, they would have to pay for it.”
Cllr Brenda Singleton added: “It will put them on a proper footing now that they are established.”
