Coach questions why Isle of Wight 3G pitch closed and has no toilets

The Isle of Wight’s full-size, floodlit state-of-the-art 3G pitch was closed last week “for repairs, until further notice,” users were told.

Vectis FC secretary, Stuart Harris, said he was told the pitch — used by the club to play Island League fixtures and for training — had been closed to avoid damage being done to it by "poorly maintained" goals.

The closure has angered a top Island football coach, who uses it to train and play matches for Vectis Youth, up to four times a week.

Luke Kerr said mismanagement of the facility, built in 2019, is gradually leading to its demise. “A poor booking system, poor maintenance, no changing rooms, no area to take refuge, no catering or refreshment facilities — and, most importantly, no toilets. It’s a shambles,” he said.

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“We lack facilities on the Island, more than anywhere else in the country, so this facility really should be the jewel in the crown.

“It should be managed as a business by professionals.” Before the facility opened three years ago, CEC principal, Rachel Kitley, stated the whole community would be able to take advantage of the “fantastic new pitch”.

Luke, who coaches 300 children and manages the Island’s highly successful beach soccer team, said the closure was having a huge impact on clubs — and the wellbeing of children who use it.

Equally, Luke, worried by the lack of toilet facilities, said: “Boys use a hedge to urinate in — and what are young girls meant to do in the absence of a toilet? It’s embarrassing.”

Another top Island coach, Paul Marshall, who runs Isle of Wight Community Sports Coaching, has used the facility the past 14 months.

“It’s very unsettling for our parents, who have to take their young children to find a bush without privacy,” he said.

“We’ve had many incidents of boys and girls on a cold night, uncomfortable, with nowhere to go. There should be toilet access at all times the venue is open.”

There are changing rooms and toilets in a nearby block, but they are not accessible, other than for teams who use it on a Saturday, like Vectis FC.

The nearest other toilets are at the Park Road skatepark, two miles away.

Luke also questioned the lack of a properly functioning booking system with the venue often being double booked.

Paul added: “We love using a quality surface, so for it to be out of use already is a huge shame. These sites always need regular maintenance.”

Stephen Williams, CEC’s facilities manager, answered the points about “maintenance issues” with the pitch, but not the other problems.

“To ensure the safety of those accessing the pitch and to prevent any damage, we took the precautionary measure to pause its use, until a specialist company has investigated and undertaken any required work,” he said.

“We are doing everything we can to ensure this is done as quickly as possible.

“We anticipate the pitch will be ready for use again by early January — at the very latest.”

Luke concluded: “The facility is not given the love it needs. Sadly, if we’re not careful, it’ll just be slowly run into the ground and become an eyesore."