Moving goalposts sees players climbing on roof to retrieve balls

July 29 2020
Moving goalposts sees players climbing on roof to retrieve balls

Moving the goalposts has caused a problem in Littleworth, with people climbing on to Norton Parish Hall’s roof to retrieve footballs trapped up there.

The problem arose following the erection of a backstop net to protect against wayward baseballs by Worcester Sorcerers baseball club, which will play home games by the parish hall.

Norton-juxta-Kempsey Parish Council chairman Kevin Fincher said: “There has been an increased incidence of footballs going on to the parish hall roof and people going up there after them but it wasn't until a friend of mine whose son plays down there explained the situation that I realised that we have created a problem with the arrival of the baseball.

“Before baseball, everyone favoured the goal nearest the MUGA [multi use games area] because if there was no goal net or they missed the goal, the MUGA fence saved the ball.

“Since baseball has arrived, the favoured posts have been removed. If they play at the far end posts – furthest away from the parish hall – their ball risks going into the road, potentially hitting a car, thereby leaving them with a delay while they exit the playing fields to get their ball.

“The favoured goal is, therefore, the one nearest the hall but the backstop for their balls is currently the parish hall, potentially causing damage –apparently there have been some near misses with windows – or ending up on the roof.

“Even if we put up goal nets, their shots aren't always going to be on target and we possibly need a football backstop between the goals and the hall and, potentially, behind each remaining set of posts.

“Clearly there is a cost involved but better that than a damaged hall, someone falling through the roof or causing an accident on the road.”

Mr Fincher added that a suggestion to reorientate the football pitch discussed during a recent meeting of the parish council would not work due to the size of the baseball pitch.

Norton Parish Hall in Littleworth