Does anybody remember the astro-turf footy pitch at Earl Marshal School? - ( now Fir Vale ).

What a great place it was for kids, we used to play footy on there every day of the holidays, whether it rained, snowed or hailed! kids would sit on the steps and chat, play basketball etc.

I remember when they were going to lay down new black astro-turf but because it cost too much, they ended up spraying the concrete green!!! wonder if they'd get away with that now! ha ha!.

Whats happened now tho? it's all barrackaded off like alcatraz and all the kids are either stood on street corners smoking or drinking and generally misbehaving. None of that when it was an open place to go and play or just socialise. Not just keeping youngsters fit but off the streets too.

Makes me think that some of the changes in Fir Vale were not really thought out very well. was it really for the best?

Are you on about rubber pitch (well thats what we called it) - black astroturf pitch

OH MY GOD!!

Yes, I remember calling it the rubber pitch! we used to play every sunday, about 8-a-side with lads from all over the area.
otherwise it was rubber pitch every day for a kickabout!

I remember using the pitch as part of the City Council's Passport to Leisure scheme in the mid 1980's.

Footy, hockey, cricket, all summer long, for nowt!

Eey by eck, I'm starting to sound like an old man...

From a security viewpoint, I understand why they've fenced it all off, but it sucks the community spirit out of the place :(

What are testosterone-fuelled youth going to do now?

Abdul,

Did you play football on the rubber pitch during the late 80's early 90's? If so I may know you as we basically spent the whole of our youth around this place.

Also do you remember the gravel pitch just up the banking? . . . . Jeez! it all sounds so long ago!:o

both pitches at the side of the school are still there - they are green all-weather and do have fences around them - helps keep the ball on inside the surface. At weekends there's normally local kids on there playing footie and cricket. They are not doing any harm to anyone and are off the streets.

You're just missing the fact that although they are still both there people now have to pay to get on there - including kids. Before it was free all the time and you'd get alot more children playing alot more sports down there.

The only children I've seen on there during the weekends are the young owls footy training who I'm sure pay for the facilities. Come to think of it - Im not even sure they let anyone on at weekends any more!

I'm sure many of the delinquents roaming the streets around Fir Vale would most probably be doing something alot healthier if it wasn't for the Alcatraz pitches.

yeh remember gravel pitch

if we wanted to play a propa game of cricket (ie eleven a side), we'd play on there otherwise it'd be on rubber pitch

they were the days