If only there had been a football cup for dogged determination, West Park United’s keen young players would have won it by a clear mile.
Sadly, when the new season kicked off in August they were unlikely to be competing for any silverware. The team (pictured) from Ashton’s West Park estate off Stockport Road had been unable to join a local league - because they didn’t have anywhere to play, at least not officially.
Their estate had been built with only a small adventure playground, even though there were about 200 children of school age living there.
If the large grassed area in the middle of the estate could be upgraded to an official playing field as the tenants had suggested, it would be ‘game on’ - but the idea had failed to win support from Ashton Council.
Team captain, 13-year-old Garry Morris said: “We do play on the middle green sometimes and the caretakers don’t stop us because they know we’ve nowhere else.”
With more than 20 youngsters eager to play, the Ashton Grammar School lads could easily field two teams. The youngsters were pinning their hopes on the council clearing another site nearby.
Traction attraction
From the Chronicle files - Thursday 21st August 2025
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