Petition calls for council to reopen football changing rooms

But the local authority is maintaining a firm stance on why the facilities currently remain closed to amateur teams across the borough.

Since lockdown restrictions were lifted and organised team sports were allowed to resume, council-run changing facilities for football have not reopened.

Last weekend, adverse weather conditions forced both the Birkenhead Sunday League and Wallasey Sunday League to call off all matches played on council pitches, with only a handful of fixtures remaining.

A lack of available changing facilities has resulted in footballers changing outside the buildings, in their own cars or not at all

In his weekly report, Birkenhead Sunday Association Football League Secretary, John Traynor, said: "All council changing facilities are not yet available. Players and referees cannot be expected to get changed on the touchline in heavy rain.

"Also, allied with safeguarding and a duty of care, the league had no option other than postpone matches on local authority pitches."

The Globe contacted Wirral Council to find out why changing rooms have not reopened in Wirral, amid reports that council facilities are widely available in other areas outside Wirral.

A spokesperson for Wirral Council said: “The Health & Safety Executive, alongside Wirral Public Health, have published guidance on acceptable ventilation standards in light of airborne transmission of COVID-19. The council is required to comply with this guidance.

Hundreds of adults and children use Wirrral Council football pitches every weekend

“As a result, the council has not been able to open football changing rooms to date, although toilets are available.

"For the 2021/22 season clubs have only been charged for the pitch and use of toilet facilities, not the changing facilities.

“Ventilation surveys have now been completed and ventilation improvement work is underway. The council is focusing on re-opening venues, starting at those with the most pitches and changing facilities usage, with the remainder being opened once additional ventilation improvement work has been carried out.”

Coronavirus guidance displayed in the car park at Plymyards playing fields

In the petition, creator John Owens said: "Grassroots football has long been a fantastic way for a wide range of people, from young to the older generation, to find a release from their everyday life, whilst also assisting in creating a haven for people who suffer with mental health issues.

"For almost two years now, grassroots football has not been able to return to to what it once was due to the closure of all council changing rooms until ventilation checks and surveys have been carried out on them.

"This has had a massive impact on the game we all love to play due to players and officials being forced to get changed at the side of the pitches.

"We want to play football. Please help us to continue to be able to."