South Oxhey football pitch closed 'for foreseeable future'

Users of the Sir James Altham 3G Pitch in Little Oxhey Lane have described their disappointment after they were notified last Friday that the facility was set to close indefinitely for repairs.

A Three Rivers District Council spokesperson confirmed today (May 1) that the pitch had been shut “for the foreseeable future” on Monday, April 29, following an inspection on Friday. 

It comes amid health and safety concerns due to the “deterioration of the surface”, which is understood to be down to wear and tear, as well as some vandalism.

The pitch's closure will have a huge impact on Oxhey Jets FC, particularly its youth teams. (Image: Oxhey Jets FC)

“No long-term decisions on the pitch have yet been made,” the spokesperson added. “Everyone Active, which manages this site and others on behalf of the council, will continue to work with the council and support users in finding suitable alternative pitches for their activities where possible.”

TRDC declined to confirm that it will definitely reopen the pitch at some point, instead reiterating that no long-term decisions have been made.

However, a spokesperson did confirm the lease would be returned to Herts County Council when it expires in April 2025.

The pitch is used by local team Oxhey Jets FC for its youth teams and training, and founder John Elliott said the closure will have a “huge impact” on the club.

Jets founder John Elliott BEM said the pitch is a community hub for local families. (Image: John Elliott BEM)They will now need to find a new training ground, which will require equipment to be transported across and players to travel more. 

“All the youth sides train there so it’s going to have a huge impact,” John said. “It is our home base.”

Although he said the facility had been the victim of vandalism with people holding BBQs on the pitch, John added it was a "community hub" for local families as "it is a meeting place for literally loads and loads of kids all through the holidays".

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Supply chain manager Kristian O’Brien was one of the people who received the closure notification on Friday. He agreed that the news was a “shame” for the community.

Grassroots football coach Kristian O'Brien said the news was a shame for the South Oxhey community. (Image: Kristian O'Brien)

The 45-year-old from South Oxhey, who is also a grassroots youth football coach, has been renting the pitch out each week for friendly nine-a-side games for the past 10 years.

These sessions will likely come to an end now as the replacement pitch offered by Everyone Active in Mill End was too far away and too small., he said.

“From a personal point of view, it's disappointing for our group, but if you look at the bigger picture, the area is losing a lot of its recreational space,” Kristian added.

"Maybe there is a need to do a bit of tidying up and refurbish it, but it's a shame that the whole thing is going to be closed."