We need first-rate facilities for our young rugby players

For the last few years they have been displaced all over Rotherham borough trying to find suitable facilities that would provide clean safe secure pitches to play on. We travel to many towns and villages in the surrounding counties, even the small village teams are able to provide the basics like toilets, warm drinks, changing areas so the children don't have to strip off in public.

They are able to provide clean secure pitches so that the coaches don't have to do a safety walk first to check the area is clear of dog mess, needles and broken glass prior to letting the children play on them. But here in third world Rotherham, there are no secure playing areas.

Rotherham Ttitans allow Phoenix to use their club house (the original home of Rotherham rugby) so they now have toilets, changing rooms, warm drinks. But as soon as there is a chance, a remote chance, to provide secure and well-prepared playing areas the Nimby's kick off with all sorts of wild inaccurate rants, attempting to sway the council by turning this into a popularity contest.

Despite the assurances given by Rotherham Phoenix, the naysayers will continue to peddle misinformation and untruths to gain the upper hand. Why people can't look at what is best for the youth of this town and not the dog walkers is beyond me.

I am one of the volunteers at the club, I coach the under-8s I give my time up for free to try to help this community club. Just think what good we could achieve if the town as a whole get behind something that will be a benefit to all the sporting community. You just need to look at the Olympics to see what can be achieved with the correct well- funded sports facilities.

Mark O'Neill, Sheepcote Road, Brecks.

True friends of Herringthorpe playing fields support rugby club plans . . . club official's response to objectors and your comments. Click here.