FA pitching in to help grassroots level

The study, which took the form of an online poll seeking the views of participants from around the country, also saw concerns raised about the standard of coaching.

The issue of poor pitches was already on the FA's agenda under its 'National Game Strategy for Participation and Development.'

And a 'significant slice' of its £260million budget for the next four years has been allocated to solving the issue.

The results have been largely welcomed by those involved in the grassroots game across Shropshire.

Dave Sandles, league secretary of the Shrewsbury Sunday League, claims the problems lie much deeper than just the state of the playing surface.

He said: "It is one issue, that is for sure, but a bigger one is the lack of available pitches around.

"We are one of the strongest leagues in the region but are having to turn teams away. The surfaces aren't as good but by the same token they seem more protective of them than ever."

The Shrewsbury League has 18 teams playing each week at Shrewsbury Sports Village, with a further four each at Monkmoor and Springfield Recreational Grounds.

Teams also play on pitches owned by Shrewsbury College.

Sandles continued: "There are other pitches we want to use but they are simply not available to us, for one reason or another. The whole thing for me needs shaking-up."

Like many others, the Shrewsbury League plays most of its games on council-owned pitches and the FA has already recognised the need for it to take on a greater role.

The survey found players with access to better-quality pitches tend to play a third more than the average. Those playing on poorly-maintained pitches play 21 per cent less.

Plans are in place for the 'Parklife' scheme, which will see the creation of 'hubs' of floodlit 3G artificial pitches in cities across the country.

The FA also intend to improve around 2,000 existing turf pitches and it is hoped the investment will encourage further funding from other sources.

While team numbers in the Shrewsbury League have held up well, others – such as the Telford League – have seen a significant drop.

Roy Waterfield, chairman of the Shropshire FA, acknowledged there is an urgent need to revive the game at adult level.

He said: "It is no secret there has been a long decline in the men's game. We have to deal with this haemorrhaging while we can."

Waterfield admitted the adult game had been somewhat 'neglected' over recent years, adding: "One of the reasons isn't always mentioned.

"The fact is 20 years ago only one in 10 men went to university, now it's one in five. We are losing quite a few at the age of around 18 because of that.

"The survey showed us some positive things, such as the increasing numbers in small-sided games.

"There is also an indication the women's game has been boosted by the success of this year's World Cup.

"At the same time, we know there is work which needs to be done quickly in the adult men's game."

Pete Ackerley, the national FA's head of participation, said: "We are seeing a lot of players will play more if we get the environments right.

"We're finding that the better the pitch, people will play more, and absolutely more people will play."

The study took the form of a poll which sought views from players, coaches, referees, staff and volunteers.

In terms of coaching, respondents aged between 10 and 15 expressed high levels of satisfaction, but this declined as the age range increased.

Poor coaching was identified as having a negative effect on the appetite of players to play regularly.

This area is also one of the FA's priorities with a network of county coaches charged with improving and supporting coaching across grassroots football, with club mentoring programmes, being strengthened.

Ackerley added: "I don't think anyone is expecting Pep Guardiola or Louis van Gaal on the touchline when they play in their local Sunday league.

"But they are expecting some sort of structure – for example playing in a shape, knowing how to defend a corner, what to do from a free-kick.

"It is just about getting organised and being organised and getting some structure as opposed to throwing a ball on to a pitch and smashing it at a goalkeeper for 20 minutes during sessions."

The survey also highlighted some dissatisfaction around cost of coaching courses, but also indicated that those that have completed them believe they represent value for money.

Costs vary by area but the average price paid for a level one coaching qualification in the last 12 months was £90.56 and £208.23 for level two.

One statistic that buoyed the FA was that 52 per cent of respondents view football as the best 'value-for-money' sport ahead of cycling and running.

Ackerley said: "We're delighted with the number of people that have sat down and told us what they think. Nearly 30,000 is a significant number.

"We need to understand what the thoughts of anyone involved in the game are and keep listening to them.

"This is the first time we have done a survey of this nature, so we don't have anything to compare this against.

"But this will become an annual survey so we can look at where we are improving or getting worse."