Football fans are being encouraged to support the “Save Our Grassroots” campaign, which calls on MPs to address how climate change is impacting grassroots sports.
Wiltshire-based charity Rewriting Earth is spearheading the initiative and recently engaged supporters at a Taunton Town FC match.
Paul Goodenough, the charity’s founder, emphasised that many amateur clubs lack the funds to protect themselves from climate-related challenges.
“We’re getting voices from all across the country – we’re going to represent that at Westminster”, he said.
A report from the British Association of Sustainable Sport warned that one in four professional football pitches could be submerged within 25 years due to rising water levels.
The campaign video, featuring celebrities like Gary Lineker, Paul Merson, Rob Rinder, and Ben Shephard, aims to show that concern spans all of society.
Taunton Town’s pitch, prone to flooding after heavy rain, has caused financial strain on the club.
Karl Lindsay is the football operations manager there and said: “At one point in December we went nine inches underwater on the pitch. We felt it last year more than ever.
“It’s really important something is done to protect the spaces.”
Mr Lindsay explained that despite installing additional drainage, the clay beneath the surface prevents effective solutions.
Although a new pitch has been laid, torrential rain still poses a significant risk.
The club also believes that flooding issues contributed to their relegation last season, adding to their financial burden.
He said: “Fans are frustrated. We ended up with so many games having to be played at the last minute.
“Then we had to move ground which cost us a lot of money.”
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