Pitch battle won by Bulldogs spirit

THE Fitton Hill committee, from left, John Hughes, Ray Nevitt and David Hughes

2 More Image(s) In Gallery

A RUGBY club is rejoicing after a long-awaited victory to secure its playing fields as it starts the new rugby league season.

Fitton Hill Bulldogs ARLFC were due to do battle with Wigan Bulldogs on Saturday after winning a 15-year battle over its pitches.

The club, which plays in Division Three of the North-West Men's League, began appealing to Oldham Council for a 25-year lease at the fields, adjacent to Rosary Road, back in 2000.

The hard work finally paid off when councillors voted unanimously in favour of letting the 9.44 acres of land "for the benefit of all within the local community".

Accomplished
Club chairman John Hughes said: "I am really proud of what we have accomplished.

"It took us a long time but we were like dogs with a bone - we wouldn't let it drop.

"We need the people of Fitton Hill to support us and we are now looking for sponsorship to get it off the ground.

"Our main priority is setting up changing rooms. We have already had someone out to look at the pitches. It will be a rugby club first and foremost but there will also be football and cricket taking place."

Spearheaded by Dave Hughes and his father John, Fitton Hill Bulldogs were re-established in 2000 after years of no rugby league representation in Hathershaw and Fitton Hill.

But the club requires additional funding support to improve pitch drainage and upgrade sports equipment.

In order to apply for extra financial support from bodies such as the Big Lottery Fund and Sport England, the club required a commitment from the council over the long-term lease.

Club secretary Phil Howarth said: "The Bulldogs will be back on home turf. Fitton Hill has a proud history playing rugby league going back over 50 years."

The fields have been used by several clubs in the past, but the changing rooms were demolished when the old Fitton Hill secondary school was knocked down.

Mr Hughes said: "It has taken us 15 years to secure the long-term lease but we have had some very positive meetings with the council in recent months."

He previously said: "We are pleased Oldham Council has recognised our long-contested claim to the playing fields.

"The lease will enable the club to move forward.

"It will create opportunities for youths and adults from Fitton Hill, Bardsley, Hathershaw and Holts to be involved in a vibrant young club."

Dream

With the exception of the hard-surface courts, most of the land closest to Rosary Road, including the skateboard park, falls in the green belt.

The public open space to the rear of the former Centre for Professional Development (CPD) has now been handed over to the Bulldogs to pursue their long-awaited dream.

Council leader Jean Stretton said in the report: "There has been a long-standing interest from Fitton Hill Bulldogs in developing the land as a new sports facility. There are wider social and environmental wellbeing benefits resulting from the club's proposals and in light of this the council is prepared to dispose of its land by way of a 25-year lease."