By Martin Morgan

Published at 11:13, Thursday, 21 February 2013

THE future of a Copeland amateur rugby league club is in doubt after kids on scooters churned up their pitch.

Devastated: Dave Farrell from Frizington RLFC examines the destruction caused by bikers

Frizington are due to open their Cumberland League account at home on March 9, but the damage has put a huge question mark against that fixture.

A pre-season friendly due to be played on the pitch on Saturday against Lowca has been switched to their rivals’ ground.

“This setback is potentially fatal. It’s a bit of a sickener,” said Frizington official Dave Farrell. “The pitch is totally rutted and the ruts are very deep in places.

“There is no way it will be deemed playable until it is all sorted out. It will require some special maintenance to give us half a chance.

“It has left us in a very precarious position, and you have to wonder if it’s worthwhile carrying on.

“We now need support from the community – any help they can give, in terms of effort or resources.”

Chairman John Cass, who kept the club going last season, stepped down recently due to health issues, leaving Farrell as the only remaining official.

Former assistant Mark Shaw has been appointed coach for the new season, and players recently answered a call to back the club.

And Farrell believes a youthful Frizington side capable of proving competitive this term – if they have a pitch to play on.

“Given everything that has happened to the club, it has been a very difficult few weeks,” added Farrell. “It was going to be very challenging for us anyway, before this setback.

“Apart from one or two old heads, the average age of the team this year is under 20.”

Anyone who can help repair the pitch, in terms of time or money, can phone Mr Farrell on 07967 123983.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk