MSP Graham Simpson hails work of volunteers striving to take over Hamilton pitches

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Lanarkshire MSP has hailed the hard work of football volunteers striving to take over a local facility. MSP for Central Scotland Graham Simpson visited Eddlewood Football Club in Hamilton last weekend to support club plans to launch a community asset transfer of two grass football pitches and a pavilion used by the club.

These plans made by the club are to assist the improvement of facilities for the benefit of the whole community.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android The club operates many teams, from adult amateurs to grassroot children’s teams of all ages.Eddlewood aims to take community ownership of the grass pitches by making one into an astroturf pitch in addition to undertaking significant improvements to the pavilion and club house.Graham met with Gerry McGhie and other club volunteers to hear their plans and to view the current facilities.

Whilst attending Graham was also able to sample the strength of the local community.Graham said: “Community asset transfers of this nature can be positive in allowing local organisations to take ownership of facilities for the benefit of their community at a time when local councils are stretched for resources.“In the Eddlewood area there has already been a very successful asset transfer of a facility taken on by the local gymnastic club. "The committee