YOUNG football players in Glasgow's South Side are enjoying the beautiful game on a new £330,000 pitch.

The all-weather facility in Corkerhill is proving a hit with local children and those from surrounding Mosspark and Pollok areas.

An overgrown blaes pitch that had become rundown and unused has been transformed into a synthetic sporting field, while changing rooms and floodlights have also been built.

The pitch was officially opened by Glasgow Housing Association chairman Gordon Sloan and Glasgow City Council representative, Councillor Alistair Watson.

GHA, the council, Glasgow Community Justice Authority, the Scottish Government and sportscotland, the national sports agency, came together to fund the project.

The pitch will be used by Pollok United Soccer Academy, but will also be open to the public - and free for local young people.

Pollok United's Soccer Academy works with 230 boys and girls from across the South Side.

The development has been named after former GHA housing officer Dennis Donnelly, who died in March 2011.

He was closely involved in a number of regeneration projects in Corkerhill.

Mr Sloan said: "This allows youngsters from different parts of the community to come together, make new friends and keep fit at the same time."

Some of the funding from the project came via the Glasgow Community Justice Authority from the Payback Sports Facilities fund, which is drawn from funds recovered from the proceeds of crime.

Offenders on Community Payback Orders helped with the development work as part of their court orders.

Councillor Elaine McDougall, chairwoman of Glasgow Justice Authority, said: "I am delighted we were able to play a part in the development of this pitch.

"Credit must also go to the offenders on community sentences who put in a lot of hard graft to prepare the site and help create something that is sure to be a highly valued, community facility.

"Working on the pitch has given the offenders the chance to put something back into society and that is good for the offenders but also for the commun­ity because those offenders will be less likely to commit crimes in future."

Louise Martin, chairwoman of sportscotland, said: "This fantastic facility will provide more opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to become involved in sport and physical activity."

stef.lach@ eveningtimes.co.uk