I am writing with regards to Rayleigh Town Councils' decision to charge Rayleigh Boys Football Club to use King George's Playing Field.

Rayleigh Town Council wish to charge £200 for five months use of the small area at the top of Bull Lane, which is where our five and six-year-old children train and learn the game.

For all of our teams to train at King George's the total charge could equate to over £2,000.

We will not pay, as this will only be the start of us paying the council for the use of the field.

The club has, over the past 27 years, provided organised training at King George's for many thousands of children. All of our training is currently provided by volunteers who are qualified and police checked. The club is non-profit making.

We do not want all of the field (our teams currently train at several locations in Rayleigh) and we only want the field for two hours on a Saturday morning.

The council want to charge us for "exclusive use". Rochford District Council never made a charge so why do the town council need to?

I understand exceptions to making a charge can be made where children are concerned. Furthermore, all of our parents pay council tax, which surely contributes to the upkeep of facilities such as King George's.

Having attended a meeting on Wednesday with the council I am disgusted at its lack of respect for an established club which is integral to the community.

Neil Kirsh
Parent and Coach
Shakespeare Avenue
Rayleigh