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Proclaimers fronting pitch battle Proclaimers fronting pitch battle
(about 20 hours later)
Fife singing duo The Proclaimers have lead thousands of youngsters on a march in Edinburgh calling for immediate improvements to sports facilities. Fife singing duo The Proclaimers have led thousands of youngsters on a march in Edinburgh calling for immediate improvements to sports facilities.
The pair joined children representing sports teams from Edinburgh for the Unite the Clubs march along the Royal Mile in the capital.The pair joined children representing sports teams from Edinburgh for the Unite the Clubs march along the Royal Mile in the capital.
Radio DJ Grant Stott also walked with the group to the Scottish Parliament to hand over a petition.Radio DJ Grant Stott also walked with the group to the Scottish Parliament to hand over a petition.
The United Clubs Forum wants action on upgrading existing sports facilities.The United Clubs Forum wants action on upgrading existing sports facilities.
Basic drainage
The improvements, which they want to see completed by July, include upgraded changing rooms, pitches and access to training facilities throughout the year.The improvements, which they want to see completed by July, include upgraded changing rooms, pitches and access to training facilities throughout the year.
A petition calling for immediate council and Scottish Executive action on renovating the city's sports facilities and pitches was then handed to independent Lothians MSP Margo MacDonald and Holyrood's Petitions Committee convener Michael McMahon.A petition calling for immediate council and Scottish Executive action on renovating the city's sports facilities and pitches was then handed to independent Lothians MSP Margo MacDonald and Holyrood's Petitions Committee convener Michael McMahon.
About 3,000 people took part in the march
Craig Reid, one half of The Proclaimers, whose hits included Letter From America and I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles), said he was happy to go along.Craig Reid, one half of The Proclaimers, whose hits included Letter From America and I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles), said he was happy to go along.
He said: "I thought they would maybe get 300 or 400 along but there is 3,000 maybe more, it is great to see.He said: "I thought they would maybe get 300 or 400 along but there is 3,000 maybe more, it is great to see.
"We have both got children at schools in Edinburgh and we've seen that the city's sports facilities in many cases, not all, are terrible. We are talking about basic things like drainage."We have both got children at schools in Edinburgh and we've seen that the city's sports facilities in many cases, not all, are terrible. We are talking about basic things like drainage.
"I hope this leads to the council taking notice and getting something done soon.""I hope this leads to the council taking notice and getting something done soon."
The crowd, made up of parents, teachers, coaches and youngsters, waved banners representing clubs and schools from across the capital as they listened to speeches from politicians, celebrities and campaign leaders outside the Scottish Parliament.
The kids have got the campaign started and have been fantastic Les TrotterUnite the Clubs march Call for action In Pictures: Poor pitchesThe kids have got the campaign started and have been fantastic Les TrotterUnite the Clubs march Call for action In Pictures: Poor pitches
The crowd, made up of parents, teachers, coaches and youngsters, waved banners representing clubs and schools from across the capital as they listen to speeches from politicians, celebrities and campaign leaders outside the Scottish Parliament.
Among the speakers was march organiser Les Trotter, who was amazed by the response the campaign, which started last December, has received.Among the speakers was march organiser Les Trotter, who was amazed by the response the campaign, which started last December, has received.
He said: "Everything has gone to plan. The kids have got the campaign started and have been fantastic.He said: "Everything has gone to plan. The kids have got the campaign started and have been fantastic.
"Hopefully we can work with the council and the executive, because all we are asking for is for the facilities to be upgraded to a proper standard and that they work with the clubs to make sure those standards are maintained."Hopefully we can work with the council and the executive, because all we are asking for is for the facilities to be upgraded to a proper standard and that they work with the clubs to make sure those standards are maintained.
"There has been 60 years of decay and a lot of the facilities are at pre-war standards. Working together, we can make sure that doesn't happen again.""There has been 60 years of decay and a lot of the facilities are at pre-war standards. Working together, we can make sure that doesn't happen again."
The march began at 1330 GMT on Wednesday.
Do you have pictures of poor playing fields near you? Send them to the BBC news website. Click here to send an email.Do you have pictures of poor playing fields near you? Send them to the BBC news website. Click here to send an email.
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