Vale Rec switch off the lights at the Corbet Field
FOR the first time in more than half a century there will be no floodlit football at the Corbet Field this season.
And when the lights will return is something the club cannot answer. It may be years.
Vale Rec club chairman Jody Bisson has confirmed the club decision, which means that the GFLM have to run a domestic league and cup programme with the availability of just three club grounds with lights – Northfield, the Track and Blanche Pierre Lane.
‘Very simply, they need replacing,’ said Bisson, their former coach and Muratti goalkeeper.
‘We have the old halogen bulbs that are no longer produced and need to convert to LED. Also, only having matches on the weekend makes it a lot less demanding on our volunteers to prepare and maintain the pitches,’ he added.
Vale have enjoyed the use of lights since 1965 when the first game was played with the use of 200 1,500-watt bulbs.
Bisson said they would hope to switch the lights back on at some stage in the future, but the costs are prohibitive at present.
‘Yes [to using them again], but it is nearly £40k and no support from FA as we’re too far down the pyramid for funding for floodlights. They have to be at least at GFC level.’
Vale Rec will, from now, play their home FNB Priaulx League games on Saturday afternoons.
