A Moray sports club responsible for nurturing generations of talent has launched an ambitious bid to stop itself from going to the wall.
More than 140 active children take to the town’s Fife Park on a regular basis as part of the Keith and District Youth League.
For decades youngsters hoping to emulate one of the town’s favourite sons, former Scotland skipper Colin Hendry, have got changed for competition in the nearby pavilion.
However, in recent years the council-managed structure has fallen into dilapidation.
Repairs carried out following stormy weather have resulted in a “patchwork” roof, and growing safety concerns have resulted in the electricity supply being cut off.
Now the group is preparing a bid to Moray Council to take on the running of both the park and the pavilion, in an effort to safeguard the much-loved playing field.
Secretary Ashley Inglis’ partner, Gordon Mark, played in the league and he has been followed by the couple’s eldest two children: Ciaran, 13, and nine-year-old Lucy.
Ms Inglis said: “It’s just been getting worse for a quite a while now. “We’re the only group that uses the park and the council can’t afford to upgrade it just for us.
“If we don’t do anything then it will probably just keep getting into a further state to the point it can’t be used – and without a playing field we would have to fold.
“We want to be ambitious and create a bit of a legacy for the kids growing up that we’ve been able to enjoy.”
The group has launched a consultation in the town, with a view to lodging an application to assume control of the park and pavilion.
Other sports clubs in the area have already intimated they would be willing to use the upgraded facilities to create a thriving athletic community in Keith.
Organisers want to repair the building as well as adapting it to ensure it can be accessed by disabled visitors.
