A Sky Sports News survey has revealed that poor facilities and a lack of funding are killing off football at grassroots level.
FULL RESULTS OF THE SKY SPORTS NEWS SURVEY
1: How often have you played 11-a-side football in the last six months?
Once a week - 42.1 %
Once a month - 7.7%
Not consistently (now and then) - 16.9%
I don't play anymore - 33.3%
2. What prevents you playing 11-a-side football every week?
Time demands - 20%
Cost - 10.1%
Poor facilities / pitches - 33.4%
Other form of game (eg 5/7 a side) - 11.3%
N/A I play regularly - 25.2%
3.What is the biggest problem facing the future of the grassroots game?
State of facilities/pitches - 44.3%
Cost - 22.1%
Anti-social behaviour - 12.8%
Lack or standard of match officials - 10.1%
Other - 10.7%
4.What would entice you back into playing regular 11-a-side football?
Cheaper fees - 15.2%
Better facilities/pitches - 36.8%
Better match officials - 7%
Different form of game (shorter games, evening leagues, roll in roll on subs) - 13.3%
N/A I still play - 27.7%
5.How do you rate the football facilities in your area?
Excellent - 3.3%
Good - 17.3%
Average - 33.7%
Poor - 29.4%
Very Poor - 16.3%
6.Your local council does enough to maintain pitches/facilities
Strongly agree - 2.9%
Agree - 12.3%
Neither agree nor disagree - 19%
Disagree - 35.1%
Strongly Disagree - 30.7%
7.Your local FA does enough to preserve the grassroots game?
Strongly agree - 3.9%
Agree - 14.6%
Neither agree nor disagree - 26.2%
Disagree - 32.9%
Strongly Disagree - 22.4%
8.What could your local FA do to improve the grassroots game?
Improve facilities/pitches - 46.5%
Lower match fees - 16.6%
Offer alternative forms of the game - 18.3%
Improve standard of referees - 10.1%
Other - 8.5%
9.Do you think the national FA does enough to preserve the grassroots game?
Yes - 16.3%
No - 83.7%
10.What could the national FA do to improve the grassroots game?
Invest in better facilities - 37.9%
More 3G pitches - 28.3%
Better standard of referees - 7.1%
Make game more affordable - 18.2%
Other - 8.5%
