For all clubs hiring Colchester City Council pitches through the League:
Clubs will have noticed that the Council have made changes to their operations at both sites over Saturdays and Sundays, so please be advised of the following:
Shrub End
As a reminder, the car park and building are opened each Sunday by Colchester United FC Community Foundation – they are not responsible for the Council pitches.
Council contractors have not been on site for several years but have been putting out corner flags each morning however they will no longer be doing this. Home Teams are therefore kindly requested to use the corner flags located outside of the changing room doors to take to the pitch and return to the changing rooms after the game.
It has been raised that, on occasions, the pegs to secure the goal nets are either disturbed or removed on the Saturday. The Council have stated that spare pegs will be made available with the corner flags for clubs to use if required.
Mile End
With immediate effect, the Council will no longer be employing contractors to be on site during Sundays and to open the car park and building so at present, members of the League Management Committee will attend before clubs arrive and once games are concluded to unlock and lock both the car park and building.
Home Teams are kindly requested to use the corner flags located inside of the changing room doors to take to the pitch and return to the changing rooms after the game.
It has been raised that, on occasions, the pegs to secure the goal nets are either disturbed or removed on the Saturday. The Council have stated that spare pegs will be made available with the corner flags for clubs to use if required.
Changing rooms have no locks and will not be manned, however clubs are allowed to bring their own padlocks should they so wish, to keep them secured during games.
The League has concerns over the state of changing rooms on Sundays following fixtures, so please use the bins provided. If clubs find them in a state following their use on Saturdays, please could photos be submitted to the League Secretary so they can be sent to the Council.
The League is appreciative that these changes will have an impact to your existing hard work as volunteers, but it is hoped that these minor requests can be accommodated without too much disturbance.
We would however welcome any feedback or suggestions that we can take back to the Council for discussion.