Rochdale boss Keith Hill on why he backs SunSport’s Save Our Game campaign
Hill’s League One club will have banked more than £1million by Sunday thanks to their FA Cup run that sees them aim for a giant-killing against Tottenham
ROCHDALE boss Keith Hill is backing SunSports’ Save our Game campaign.
Hill’s League One club will have banked more than £1million by Sunday thanks to the FA Cup run that sees them bid for a giant-killing against Tottenham.
Most of that cash will go straight into research and development at a club that is third best in the country throughout all top five leagues at bringing new talent through to the first team.
Rochdale are close to finalising plans to part-fund a new £9m development along with the local council and business to provide a community coaching hub in Middleton, North Manchester.
Hill is proud of the Dale production line but worries that the game at the bottom of the pile is in danger of dying out.
And he calls on clubs – like Sunday's opponents – to start financing a re-birth of football, saying: “Premier League money has to trickle down to non-league football, to grass roots.
“It has to go down to schools football, to making sure that we preserve parks pitches.
“That is really integral for the good of football.
SAVE OUR GAME SunSport calls on Premier League to save grass-roots game and for our readers to join campaign
“Football academies are accessible to everybody.
“But outside of the professional domain we have to invest more in the infrastructure of what is, still, our national game. I don’t see too many kids playing on parks' pitches any more.”
SUNSPORT’S 5-POINT PLAN
1. MORE 3G AND 4G PITCHES: Artificial surfaces available for year-round use and throughout day and evening.
2. IMPROVE PITCH QUALITY: Better drainage and upkeep, with councils not having to look for cheapest options.
3. BETTER FACILITIES: Many changing rooms are barely primitive, let alone modern. Spend money on plumbing but also increase access to indoor facilities in schools.
4. MAKE COACHING MORE AFFORDABLE: Subsidised coaching courses to ensure more kids are taught how to play the game.
5. HELP REFEREES: Cash for mentors to keep younger refs in the game. Plus more severe punishment at all levels for managers and players who abuse officials.
Hill even worries about his own youngster who has just started playing locally and what the future holds for him in football
He says: “I’ve got a six year old son who plays for Turton Tigers and they need investment – just like all grass roots football needs investment.