FAMILIES near a Musselburgh park used by children for football have called for goalposts removed by East Lothian Council to be reinstated.

They say that the large goalposts, which were on a grassy area between Monktonhall Place and Mayfield Place for about 20 years, were taken away by the council last November following an anti-social behaviour complaint.

They claim that two rusty, smaller goalposts on the other side of the park have been replaced but also say that this area is not suitable for football as it is affected by dog dirt and is “dark and narrow”.

Local resident Blair Dinwoodie, of Monktonhall Place, who coached the youngsters during the Covid-19 pandemic, said that there had always been a smaller pitch on that side of the grassy area but there were alcohol bottles, cigarette butts and discarded needles in the trees running up the southwest side of that strip of land.

He said: “In this day and age, it was fabulous to see the local kids playing football on the pitch that was on the other side of the park.

“It was well-lit, visible from numerous windows, the grass itself was flatter, not rutted, therefore not likely to result in a turned ankle.”

He added: “The kids playing on the now-removed pitch were boisterous but never offensive; loud, but never out playing late.

“An occasional stray shot or pass across the footpath or over a garden doesn’t constitute anti-social behaviour.

“It’s facilities like those removed that ensure kids grow up to be the best people they can.”

Mum-of-two Clare Paterson, who also lives on Monktonhall Place, said that no one ever played with the smaller goalposts but youngsters aged five to 14 spent “hours” enjoying using the large goalposts.

She said: “Balls obviously do go into people’s gardens, which is annoying, and I totally understand that. I would be annoyed as well, but it is not anti-social behaviour.

“But somebody has complained to the council and they phoned up the anti-social behaviour department.

“The council have acted on that really quickly and came straight out, and goals were taken down.”

She added: “We would like the goals reinstated.

“I don’t think they should have been taken down in the first place because the kids weren’t doing anything wrong – they have been penalised for playing out.

“It’s such a shame.”

The children, who are pupils at Campie Primary School, said that they enjoyed playing football and said the lack of large goalposts had “spoilt” their fun.

Dad-of-two Frazer Robertson, a Monktonhall Place resident, said that he had delivered papers in the area at the age of eight, as his father owned the newsagent on Eskview Terrace, and the goalposts had always been there.

His wife Kirsty added: “In recent years it has been quite lovely to see older kids using the park in a responsible and positive way to play sport rather than aimlessly hanging around.

“It is disappointing that the larger goals have been removed with no guarantee of them being replaced.

“The smaller goals, although very welcome, are not ideal for the older children to play with.”

Another concerned parent, who preferred not to be named, said: “The football goals offer a fun and active place for children to play safely.

“Whenever we’ve walked by, the children have always played nicely. I’ve seen nothing but respect from them.

“The first time our son played with the new small goals, he fell and got covered in dog poo. It puts me off him playing there as that pitch is covered in it.”

A council spokesperson said: “The green space has been used as an informal kickabout recreational area rather than a formal football pitch, and the goals provided are intended to be appropriate to the overall area and informal use.

“There have been a number of representations on this matter and we hope to find a solution that is acceptable to allow young people to use the area, and will engage in further discussion with local residents.”