Manchester United legend Gary Neville has launched a powerful campaign to transform 50 of the UK’s poorest football pitches, highlighting the struggles faced by grassroots players across the nation. The Sky Sports commentator and former England defender is spearheading this vital project to improve playing conditions for Sunday league teams forced to navigate uneven surfaces, unclear markings, and hazardous debris like broken glass and animal waste.
At 50 years old, Neville is passionate about supporting grassroots football, emphasizing that the sport’s future depends on healthy foundations. Partnering with Specsavers, the optics giant known for backing community sports, Neville fronts the ‘Best Worst Pitch’ campaign, which will equip 50 local clubs with essential groundskeeping tools to restore their pitches.
“Anyone who’s played football knows what it’s like to play on a dodgy pitch,” Neville said. “Grassroots football is the heartbeat of the game, and I’m proud to support the communities and volunteers who keep it alive through initiatives like this.”
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In many communities, pitch maintenance falls on the shoulders of dedicated volunteers who spend hours checking fields to ensure they’re safe and playable, often clearing litter and animal mess before matches.
Specsavers has a long history of supporting grassroots football through its campaign to find Britain’s ‘best worst team.’ Current holders Tunley Athletic, from the Somerset League, know the struggle firsthand. Chairman Craig Doughty shared, “It’s a real slog sometimes – every week, rain or shine, I’m out there doing two full laps of the pitch just to get the lines marked. Our equipment is outdated and often breaks down, making the task longer and tougher, but we do it because the club means everything to our community.”
While professional football has evolved—stadiums now boast immaculate pitches—many lower-tier clubs still contend with patchy grass and worn markings that can pose safety risks. Financial constraints prevent these clubs from upgrading to modern 3G surfaces, which require less maintenance but come at a high cost.
Through Neville’s leadership and Specsavers’ support, the Best Worst Pitch campaign aims to breathe new life into grassroots football, ensuring players at all levels can enjoy the game on safer, better-quality fields.