HOUGHTON Main FC’s award-winning pitch is not being used by a regular Saturday team this season.
The Middlecliffe club’s first team was relegated from the County Senior League Premier last season then folded.
That is despite their pitch being known as one of the best in Barnsley, having previously won the Sheffield FA’s Ground of the Year award.
Groundsman and chairman Alan Haynes, who has been involved with the club for more than 40 years, said: “It’s very sad.
“We had one season in about 2008 when we had to stop for a year due to a lack of players, but other than that there has always been a team down here.
“It’s ironic that this is the 50th anniversary of when Houghton Main, managed by my dad Harry Haynes, won five cups out of six in the Doncaster Premier League.
“They were one of the most successful sides in the area when the pits were going.
“We’ve always been known as a big club for the level.”
Haynes said Main could not field a team this season after an exodus of staff and players following relegation.
“Last season we struggled but had a good set of young lads. Everything was fine, champion.
“Then, a couple of months before the season was going to start, the coaches had their heads turned to go to Wombwell Town reserves. They let me know straight away and it was amicable.
“But a lot of players left as well and I struggled to get someone else in who could get a squad together for the season.
“So we don’t have a team this season.
“We’re looking at coming back next year. I am hoping somebody might come forward and resurrect it.
“We will advertise and see if anyone is willing to take it on.
“We’ve had some interest from other clubs but they want to come in and use their own name. It has to be under Houghton Main because that is the heritage of the area and the miners’ welfare.”
There is still some football being played on the pitch. Houghton run an over35s team plus boys and girls junior sides while Barnsley Women’s FC occasionally play there, as well as Mexborough Sunday League side Westville.
Haynes said: “We just got a grant from the Football Foundation for machinery.
“We maintain our ground to the best standard we can in case someone wants to use it. For the miners’ welfare club, the matchday income after games is a Godsend. It’s our only real income.”
Haynes thinks running clubs is becoming more difficult in general.
He said: “A few others are struggling and having to go down levels.
“Big-spending clubs are taking a lot of players.
“Some of us are stuck in a time warp and don’t have the money to improve facilities or pay players.
“Young lads want to move on a lot quicker than they used to. People used to be a bit more thoughtful about sticking with one team for a lot of years.
“But now they get their heads turned if their mates are getting paid 20 or 30 pounds a week.
“I am doing this on my own and I can’t run about like I used to do, trying to get people in.”
