Picture: Daniel Forsyth. Image No.043671
PRESSURE from Buckie’s three councillors has stopped potentially controversial plans to remove a set of goalposts from the town’s Linzee Gordon Park. The move had been mooted by Moray Council following complaints from what were described as a “small number” of Steinbeck Road residents unhappy at footballs damaging their property and some related anti-social behaviour. As the football pitch is no longer the subject of regular bookings for matches, it was suggested that the goalposts at the Steinbeck Road end be temporarily removed, only being replaced when a booking for the facility was secured. News of the plans met with a hugely negative reaction on social media and threatened to mirror the backlash six years ago when similar plans to remove posts for the park were floated and later withdrawn. However, concerted pressure from local councillors Sonya Warren, Tim Eagle and Gordon Cowie have seen the council drop the plans. Councillor Warren said the plan would have sent out the wrong message. “We’re trying to encourage kids to get out and play sports and games; to remove a set of goalposts at a public park is just the wrong message to send,” she told the Advertiser. “In these financially difficult times we should be encouraging people to use the facilities we have, not giving them reasons not to. “To be honest I can’t really recall receiving complaints about Linzee Gordon Park and it’s not something I’m aware of coming up at the community council.” Councillor Gordon Cowie said he was not happy that a decision on the future of the goalposts had been taken without consulting with elected members first. He said: “I think we have to ask why this decision was taken before the local elected members were notified. “That said, I’m delighted that the decision to remove the goalposts has been reversed. There haven’t been a lot of complaints from here that I’m aware of. I received one about two or three years ago but have had nothing since. “This is the only full-size public football pitch in Buckie which has permanent goalposts in place and we can’t just take this away. “The council have tried to be good neighbours by putting up high fences and shortening the pitch, but removing the goalposts is a step too far.” Councillor Eagle said he was willing to “continue a conversation with concerned local residents” but was adamant the goalposts had to stay. “I am delighted that the council has changed their minds on this,” he said. “I am a huge supporter of sports and leisure services and believe it is vital that we encourage young and old to take up sports. So it is disappointing to here that Moray Council want to remove one of the goal posts in Linzee Gordon Park. “While I do sympathise with the local residents who have complained the council have taken action to reduce the issue of stray balls. We have been in discussion for some time about improving the drainage in Linzee Gordon Park so that sports like cricket and football can flourish, but also so other groups and sports can use the pitch throughout the year.” Councillor Eagle went on to state that he was “more than willing “ to listen to ideas to reduce the impact on nearby residents but that “every opportunity” had to be give to those wishing to play sport there. He added: “I asked on social media to see if others agreed and I was delighted to see that many join with me in the support of these goals.” A spokeswoman for Moray Council said: “Consideration was given to the removal of one set of goalposts from Linzee Gordon Park, due to long-standing complaints from nearby residents. Following discussion with local councillors in Buckie, it was decided not to progress with this proposal.”