TWO West Devon football clubs say there is a 'desperate' need for more pitches in the Tavistock area and are appealing for help from the local authority.
Tavistock Jets and Tamar Valley Thistles have compiled a joint report to the chairman of West Devon Borough Council's strategic development committee, in which they stress the demand for pitches is greater than ever before.
President and founder of Jets, Jim Lothian, said between 300 and 400 youngsters a week are now playing football, whether practising or in matches.
'Yet the borough does not actually own a single football pitch,' he said.
'Basically we are trying to show the council the huge, genuine demand for pitches and that lack of pitches is seriously hampering development of the clubs.'
The teams play on pitches at Crowndale, Tavistock Primary School, Whitchurch Down and Pound, near Horrabridge.
'At the moment we are on Pound and Whitchurch pitches by the kind permission of Roborough and Whitchurch Commoners but if, for any reason, they decide they have had enough of us, we will be in quite a state and it would put immediate pressure on the other pitches which are inadequate to meet our needs,' Mr Lothian said.
Cllr Nick Morgan, chairman of the development committee, said the problem was one of finances and that West Devon 'just can't afford' to buy pitches itself.
He said: 'I want to see if we can get something done. I think there is a way forward.'
Mr Morgan said a meeting was scheduled for December 16, which would involve representatives of Crowndale Recreation Association, TACRA, the borough council, county council and National Lottery advisers.
CRA and TACRA are in the process of drawing up lottery bids for sports facilities — Crowndale for football pitches, cricket wickets and a grass athletics track, and TACRA for an all-weather pitch and changing facilities.
Both organisations say they have been advised to go for separate bids, although borough councillors want to see a more combined approach.