A LEADING youth football coach is appealing for the game at grassroots level to be given government help as it faces a dire lack of finances.

Graham Vance, chairman of Barrhead Youth Football Club, has said teams which have had no income since March as a result of the coronavirus crisis will find it hard to stay afloat long enough for matches to resume.

He told the Barrhead News: “Many parents are struggling to put food on the table or pay their electricity bills, so paying for football has been at the back of their mind.

“I know coaches who have provided food and iPads out of their own pocket just to make sure the kids don’t miss out.

“This is a very difficult time for everyone but grassroots football has been severely impacted – and there has been no support at all.”

Mr Vance has now enlisted the help of Barrhead’s MSP, Tom Arthur, who has promised to raise the matter with Joe Fitzpatrick, Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing.

The plea for government help comes as organised outdoor play and contact sports are allowed to resume for children and young people under the age of 18.

While he welcomes the move, Mr Vance said coaches, players, parents and volunteers have a multitude of questions about how games and training could restart safely, as clubs can’t afford to buy hand sanitiser, signage and personal protective equipment (PPE).

He added: “We need to be given expert guidance in areas such as health and safety, administering first aid and the correct PPE to use.”

With 1,000 young players from Barrhead and Neilston turning up for regular training sessions, Mr Vance said it is essential that clubs such as his are given support.

Mr Arthur has hailed the football club as “an important fixture in Barrhead and the surrounding area.”

He added: I have written the Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing and asked what can be done to ensure Barrhead YFC gets the best possible support to move forward and restart.”