Parental controls hailed a success

Fences put up on Black Country youth football pitches to protect referees from angry and abusive parents are here to stay, league chiefs have vowed.

The fences were introduced as a pilot by Stourbridge & District Youth League bosses after it was revealed that there was at least one incident every weekend where parents ran on the pitch to confront referees – some as young as 14. Clubs from Stourbridge, Dudley and Halesowen were asked to buy and put up the fence on one side of the pitch – a series of stakes connected by a nylon rope.

Anyone crossing the rope to go onto the pitch was threatened with severe punishment.

The move was initially criticised by clubs – but league chairman John Farley told the Express & Star it had been a runaway success.

He said: "We had great difficulty getting it through our AGM last year but I don't think there is anyone in the league now who doesn't think it is a good idea.

"It is definitely here to stay."

Mr Farley said that figures were not yet available to compare with the season before – but added that he was sure that they would be favourable.

"I go and watch my grandson play nearly every weekend and the difference is noticeable, definitely," he said.

"Before you would get opposing parents shouting at each other 60 yards across the pitch, but people don't seem as brave when they are standing right next to each other.

"It also stops irate parents chasing managers and coaches demanding that their son or daughter get on the pitch.

"It has really helped relations, you get people bringing flasks of tea and coffee and passing them around rival teams.

"We would recommend other leagues take this up too as it makes a big difference."

Clubs initially feared grouping together opposing parents could lead to violence breaking out on the touchline.

The league made the move after admitting one-third of league games now go ahead without appointed referees because of a nationwide shortage.

It means clubs have to supply referees who are often not qualified.