Published at 09:37, Friday, 27 November 2009

AS manger of Haltwhistle Conservative Football Club I feel I must answer comments by Mr Powell (Courant Letters, November 20).

His comments about my team’s lack of respect on Remembrance Sunday were very offensive and some of them were untrue.

We all have the utmost respect and admiration for all our servicemen and women, who for generations have battled for our freedom.

Some of my players have family members, who in the past and at present have been, or are fighting for our country.

On Remembrance Sunday our game against Prudhoe Youth Club was stopped at 11am for a minute’s silence, by the referee, who incidentally wore his poppy throughout the game, as a mark of respect for our brave heroes who have given their lives for us.

Mr Powell is against the redevelopment of the football pitch. I feel that his letter was nothing more than an attempt to belittle our efforts to provide our town with football facilities to be proud of.

Over the years, Haltwhistle has lost so much, the latest being the closure of Greenholme residential home. We don’t want to lose the football field as well.

As someone who has lived here all my life, I feel we should not think of ourselves but for the future of Haltwhistle residents and of things which would be of benefit to them.

Mr Powell’s comments reflected badly on my team, the opposition, the referee, all the spectators and people of Haltwhistle. I feel he owes an apology to a lot of people.

CAMERON (JIMMY) BELL,

Haltwhistle

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk