YOUNG footballers in West Oxfordshire are struggling to get game time due to a shortfall of pitches in the district, a club chairman has said.

Carterton FC chairman Phil Godfrey said his club’s youth teams were often unable to train and sometimes had to cancel games due to a lack of available space.

Five age group sides share one pitch at their Kilkenny Lane home, while the town’s Artificial Turf Pitch (ATP) is often fully booked.

Witney also has only one artificial pitch and Mr Godfrey says this means hundreds of players across the district miss out over the winter months.

West Oxfordshire District Council is planning to increase the number of pitches in Carterton, but the club chairman says change is needed now.

He said: “The amount of kids that want to train but can’t is just criminal.

“We’re in desperate need of some sort of facility, just so our kids can play football.

“It’s a no-brainer. If you can get the kids off the streets then they won’t get into trouble.”

The club has more than 150 eight to 18 year-olds on its books across five age groups, which could increase to seven next year.

Carterton FC’s senior ground can be divided into smaller pitches for youth tournaments, but otherwise younger teams play on a pitch next door.

This does not have floodlights so it is impossible to train on weekday evenings, while weekend games are often called off due to the weather.

Mr Godfrey spoke to other clubs in the area and realised the lack of pitches was a common issue.

In addition to Carterton’s ATP on Upavon Way, there is an artificial surface on Gordon Way, Witney, while Chipping Norton Leisure Centre’s Multi Use Games Area is about to be converted into an ATP.

The district council’s Local Plan, which sets out a blueprint for development across the district until 2031, has further proposals to increase the supply of pitches in Carterton and beyond.

A spokesperson said: “These will comprise new pitches on the land adjoining the East Carterton development while funding to improve existing under-used pitches is set to be secured from developments to the north of the town.”

They added: “New grass pitches are included within the North Curbridge housing development, plus the council has secured developer funding to provide an additional 3G pitch within the confines of Witney.

“We are also seeking developer funding to improve the changing facilities at Carterton Community College to enable community use of the grass pitches within the school campus.”

Carterton FC have spoken to the town council about using the Swinbrook Road recreation ground and clerk, Ron Spurs, said they would try to accommodate the club.

He said: “The town council supports the development of football in the town and if the football club have got a proposal for the council it will consider it in due course.”