And so the debate goes on a full size artificial football pitch in Borehamwood. I have been involved in football in Borehamwood for nearly 40 years, both as a player and subsequently a manager and coach.

I even remember the days when my dad and many other locals used to have a great day at Meadow Park as part of the Borehamwood Cricket Club, notably a good team in their day.

As part of my coaching activities, I get to travel around quite a bit, and the more I do, the more I realise the demise that faces this town in general in relation to sport.

When I was ten, the Borehamwood Minors League sported at least ten club youth sides from Borehamwood alone. Now, with my involvement locally for Borehamwood Youth, who have been around for 26 years, we face the sad prospect, as with many other local clubs, of having to look 'abroad' to Watford, St Albans and Potters Bar to play our home games, due to the lack of local facilities.

Aycliffe 'Marshes' is generally unplayable, due to lack of care, and the Brookmeadow 'Dogs' Toilet', and the 'Home of Rest for Gypsies' at Tempsford are also in poor condition. Sarcastic, yes, because there is currently no funding or useful investment for football (and some other sports) in Borehamwood.

Along comes Danny Hunter, a local who, in purchasing our local club, tries to do something of value, only to face opposition.

Of course Danny sees the development being not just to provide a local service, but to also provide income to Boreham Wood Football Club. Do we honestly expect him to run the club as a business at a loss? I think not. Yes, the artificial pitch must be allowed to go ahead. Apart from the use of soccer, it has other uses in relation to sport; a much-needed facility in this time of non-investment in sport in the town.

I can't help but be sceptical as to the reasons for the delay, being maybe the future use of Meadow Park, as per the rest of our town, for the £500,000 plus houses which we all know are crucial to the expansion of 'Elstree East', sorry, Borehamwood, and much needed.

We, as locals, ignore Danny's aims at our peril.

Dave Lewis,

Lombardy Way,

Borehamwood.

June 26, 2002 15:00