GOALPOSTS at a public football field have been reinstated thanks to the generosity of a local businessman who called their removal ‘unfair’.

The posts at King George’s Field in Hoyland Common were removed in July last year, with the council informing locals that they would have to pay for them to be reinstalled.

Funding is needed each year,and so resident and community activist Jasmine Holt went online to begin a fundraiser, with hopes of raising £500 to bring them back for the next year.

However, in the end these donations weren’t needed as Mark Bochen, managing director of Aspired Fabrications, saw the fundraiser and offered to help.

“We managed to raise £72 pretty quickly,” Jasmine told the Chronicle.

“But if it wasn’t for Mark we would still be trying to raise the funds.

“He was willing to pay for it for two years - it’s been so helpful because without the pitch the area’s just been empty.

“The pitch is now back up and running and we want people to get out and use it so we don’t lose it again.

“We couldn’t have done this without Mark.”

The initial money raised through the online fundraiser went towards running football sessions for youngsters in the area, which were provided by Kixx Barnsley.

Mark added: “I kept seeing how much Hoyland was getting decimated.

“There doesn’t seem to be much to do for kids in the area, so when I saw the post on Facebook I thought it was unfair and I just wanted to give something back.

“I don’t live in Hoyland but word travels around.

“It’s great that it’s back up, and if it goes well I’ll probably fund it again.”