Two hundred into two just won't go. So yell the football-mad youngsters of Poppleton, who are being squeezed out of the 'beautiful game' because of a lack of grass. Football has exploded in the village. Upwards of 200 youngsters aged from five to 15 get their kicks from appearing for nine junior teams.

But there are only two pitches available to the Poppleton players. Despite the junior school's 'kindness' in providing a small-scale ground for the youngest players, the one-two of surfaces constantly trod on are taking a lot of punishment. The village's two senior sides also play on the same turf.

So the Poppleton youngsters assembled in the village to kick-start an appeal for new pitches. Co-ordinating the appeal are Poppleton Junior FC under-15s manager Les Vaughan and his under-13s counterpart Pete Shaw. They represent two of around 25 adults, who voluntarily keep the Poppleton crop blossoming.

Said Vaughan: "Football is booming in the village over the last few years. In 1990 there were just two teams. Now there are more than 200 youngsters eager to play. But the two pitches we have are taking a fair bit of hammer.

"My view is that if we have 25 volunteers prepared to give their time to give these kids and interest it would be even better if we could get some support to get more land."

Talks have been held with local land-owners, but to no avail, and now the Poppleton players have enlisted the help of the North Yorkshire Playing-Fields Association.

"We have children from the age of five playing, but we don't want to lose them when they get to 13 and 14 and become bored," added Vaughan.

"All we need is assistance for somewhere to play."

Would-be rescuers can contact Vaughan tel York 796662, or Shaw on 795908.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.