THE long-running campaign to develop a football pitch in Dollar came to a conclusion last week – after 26 years.

As the summer holidays begin, young people at Dollar Glen FC were able to enjoy a training session on the new pitch, which sits just off Lovers' Loan.

The pitch was created as part of an agreement between Harviestoun Estate, Clackmannanshire Council and housing developer Mactaggart & Mickel.

It has been under development for the past two years, but various issues arising meant extra drainage had to be put in along with more surface work being carried out.

Kenny Mitchell, a trustee at Dollar Community Development Trust and also chairman of the football club, said: "The pitch has taken a long time to come to fruition; however, if we are going to use it regularly for organised football and the community need for other activities, we now require changing facilities and toilets."

Facilities would give the club – with around 130 members – a long-awaited base and help nurture future growth.

Members of Dollar Community Development Trust were on hand to observe the first training session, along with ward councillors Kathleen Martin, Graham Lindsay and Denis Coyne.

Kenny continued: "I am truly grateful to my working group within the trust, our three local councillors and Clacks grounds maintenance team leader Kenny Inglis for all their assistance in getting the project to its current status.

"We are now working hard to put together a plan for changing and the intention by the trust is to eventually take over community ownership of the full facility."

Cllr Lindsay was pleased to see so many young people enjoying the new pitch when he visited.

He said: "There is no doubt the Dollar community have had to wait far too long for the football pitch and required facilities as part of the agreed developer contributions.

"As one of the best sporting programmes in the county and beyond, there is no one more deserving of these facilities than Kenny and Dollar Glen Football Club."

All councillors from the ward are united in their desire to do all they can and pledged their support for the club's drive to develop changing facilities.

Cllr Coyne added: "Kenny deserves great acclaim for his own enthusiasm, along with the stamina and perseverance that has seen him hold all this together with the very limited facilities at his disposal.

"The wellbeing of our young people has never been more important as we begin to emerge from the scourge of coronavirus.

"This club needs proper facilities to take it up to another level and to open up the offering to older players and to enable inter-club competitions."

Cllr Martin said: "Well done to Kenny and all those involved in the development of the pitch. Their hard work has made this possible for the children.

"The changing facilities will be the finishing touch and I am happy to continue to support the club aspirations in any way that I can."