YOUTH football teams in Glasgow could fold because of a lack of support, worried parents and coaches have warned.

They say price hikes have had a "major" impact on youth clubs in the city and are now making a plea for help.

As reported in the Evening Times last April, Glasgow Life –the council-run group which administers the city's sport facilities – introduced price increases on grass and artificial pitches.

Today Davie McGaughey, chairman and head coach of the Rangers Supporters Association Boys Club, said it resulted in a two-hour midweek training session at Toryglen Football Centre increasing in cost from £43 to £68, a rise of almost 60%.

A grass pitch fora weekend game went up from £15 per match to £33, a rise of more than 100%.

Mr McGaughey, 46, a support worker from Easterhouse, said: "It is definitely having a major impact on us and other teams.

"We were shocked last year at how big the increase was but now we're worried that, if we don't get help from the council, clubs like us won't be able to keep going.

"They have got to remember that it is young kids playing and it's becoming too expensive for them to enjoy it.

"Why can't they see that it's cost-effective to have the kids playing football? They're not on the streets, painting graffiti, drinking, getting into fights or taking part in other anti-social behaviour."

He added: "Most volunteers like myself have full-time jobs so we're not able to raise money all the time.

"They will have to do something to help us."

There are 16 youngsters signed to the under-15 team and each has to pay for training and games.

Before April 2011 the club charged £3 for training and £5 for games but now has to charge £5 for training.

David Little, national secretary of the Scottish Youth Football Association, added: "I think it is imperative that we invest in young people in Scotland.

"If we don't, then we risk them falling, especially at a time of major youth unemployment in the biggest recession that I have ever lived through.

"I am always concerned about price increases."

Dad-of-two Barry Findlay, whose 15-year-old son David plays with the Rangers Supporters Association Boys Club, said the financial pressures in youth football were on the minds of everyone involved.

The 46-year-old offshore worker from Kirkintilloch said: "It's the talk of the steamie. I was horrified when they put the prices up and I know of club bosses forking out money from their own pocket to pay for things.

"Football clubs at this level don't get any funding from anybody. Any money raised is from donations, fundraising, parents or coaches.

"The facilities haven't changed, yet the prices have gone right up."

However, a spokesman for Glasgow Life argued that the pricing is in line with other councils and the increase was a bid to keep facilities open during budget cuts.

He added: "Through our partnership with the Glasgow & District Youth League we make the first-class facilities at the Toryglen Regional Football Centre available to more than 1500 youngsters every Sunday morning for less than 45p per child."

rachel.loxton@ heraldandtimes.co.uk

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