A THURNSCOE sports ground is back on track with a new development worker at the Barnsley Dearne Community Partnership.

The former Hickleton Main miners’ welfare ground in the centre of the town has already proved a popular venue for youngsters who use the multi-use games area (MUGA), but the field has been out of use for about 18 months due to drainage problems.

Adam White started his job on Wednesday and over the next two years will be promoting sport through the schools and other organisations to get the ground into full-time use as soon as possible with a full programme of activities.

“I’m a bit upset about the criticisms of delay because the MUGA has been in use since 2005,” said Nigel Middlehurst, the partnership’s regeneration officer.

“The kids have looked after it and it’s always tidy. Most of the litter tends to be thrown over the fence by people walking down the street.”

The gates are left unlocked to enable casual use and average about 25 youngsters a day, but sometimes there can be as many as 100 there.

Barnsley Council manages a £319,834 Sport England/Big Lottery Fund grant for the new facilities with the Partnership, but there has been a delay of a year in appointing the facilities development worker.