Football clubs warn climate change is turning pitches into concrete in Pocklington
Clubs spend thousands to combat weather impacts
A football club in East Yorkshire is increasingly warning that climate change is creating unsafe playing conditions by leaving fields 'like concrete' during hotter months, and forcing grassroots organisations to spend heavily to ensure player safety.
A report by not-for-profit Round Our Way highlights the challenges clubs face with pitches that fluctuate from waterlogged in winter to excessively hard during dry spells.
Officials and coaches argue that these conditions are leading to increased injuries due to greater impact on joints, and are placing financial strain on clubs already stretched thin.
Richard Bower, Secretary of Pocklington Town AFC, echoed these sentiments.
"We've invested years and thousands of pounds improving our pitches, but two extremely hot summers virtually wiped out much of that progress," Bower said.
"Last August we had to postpone a tournament because the pitches were rock hard and there was almost no grass cover left."
The changing weather patterns underline the challenges faced by local sports organisations as they strive to maintain safe environments amid rising climate pressures.