Council chiefs have shown the red card to pleas for new goalposts to be installed on local football pitches - because they say they're too dangerous.
South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture - an arms-length body paid by the Council to run local services - has told stunned local footballers that the goals at Fernhill's pitches in Rutherglen can't be replaced by portable posts as it would create "health and safety" concerns.
The local lads, who play twice a week on the pitches, had suggested the moveable posts would be a benefit, as they could be used to shorten the playing area being used, letting players make use of a smaller ground to move around on.
A campaign to raise funds to afford the gear earned more than £1000, but SLLC has refused to play ball over the idea.
Fernhill resident Davy O'Neil, who is a regular campaigner for improved amenities across Fernhill, told Lanarkshire Live he was struggling to understand the decision.
He told us : "I'm part of a group that plays there a couple of times a week.
"The posts aren't in a great state, they're too small and they're metal. What would be perfect would getting a set of moveable goals, which loads of other pitches and sports centres have.
"That way you can move them around to suit however many players are available, and you wouldn't need to always be using the full pitch. It's a massive park, and that's not ideal - if you can't get a full team sometimes you can't get a game on.
"The new goals would do the full community a lot of good, there's a lot of teams that would get involved in games that way."
However attempts to persuade the leisure and culture body of the benefits of improving the pitches have now worked.
Davy added: "Every time I've spoken to them they've been adamant they can't do anything, and they say moving the posts would be a health and safety risk. It's ridiculous.
"It's something that benefit the area and get more people playing sport more regularly. We've offered to cover the cost too but they won't budge on it."
An online petition has raised around £1000 to try and secure the goals, but SLLC say that money is not the issue.
A spokesman for South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture said: “Our representatives worked with service users to explore options, however they were unable to find a solution due to health and safety implications.
“We remain committed to supporting local clubs and community groups, where resources allow.”
The organisation declined to provide further details of what the health and safety implications would be.
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