Greater Manchester Probation Trust

Community Payback Brightens Altrincham FC's Ground

15 Jul 2010

OFFENDERS have helped Altrincham FC’s ground score a new lick of paint so that the Robins will be well and truly in the red for the new season.
The Moss Lane outfit enlisted the help of Trafford’s Community Payback to get the job done.

Teams of up to seven offenders will be working for three weeks, painting railings, the reverse side of advertising hoardings and fences. The paint has been donated by Dulux.

Grahame Rowley, Altrincham’s vice-chairman, contacted Community Payback and has been delighted by the speed of the response and work’s quality. He said: “The offenders have been working really well, and have been out in the rain doing it in tricky conditions. “I’ve also found those I’ve spoken with to be very friendly, and they are making a tremendous difference to the ground. “We are a community based club and rely totally upon volunteers, only the manager and a part time member of staff are paid, and we cannot afford to pay for these jobs to be done.
“During previous close seasons we’ve found getting this size of job completed to be almost impossible.”

The club also hosts a wide range of community groups, such as: Jo-Jo's Music Group, the Altrincham FC Junior sides, Tesco's and Altrincham FA Referees.
Mr Rowley added: “The whole community will benefit from this work, nobody wants a shabby stadium.”

Trafford’s Community Payback team is part of the Greater Manchester Probation Trust. Debbie Wilford, Community Payback Officer, said: “Offenders are paying back in a very real way to the community against which they have offended.
“The work will also help teach them new skills and about how to work as a team. Once finished, they will also be able to take great pride in what they have achieved.”
An offender added: “It is a punishment, I’m losing my free time and it’s not much fun being here in the rain. But I like working in the outdoors and the work is a bit different.”