A prominent businessman’s generosity is at the heart of a bitter community feud in the Carse of Gowrie.
Former St Johnstone chairman Geoff Brown, who stood down earlier this month, has offered to build a new pavilion at Pitfour playing fields in St Madoes for free.
However, a number of new pitch rules scheduled for introduction if the idea is given the go-ahead could mean the end of a successful parent-led youth football team.
The first junior club in Perth and Kinross to achieve the Scottish Football Association’s Quality Mark, Pitfour FC’s membership has grown steadily since 2005 and more than 100 seven to 16-year-olds from across the Carse now attend weekly.
The man behind the club, Innes Ross, is concerned the introduction of usage fees and booking conditions would ”destroy” all the good work.
Youngsters are not charged for training sessions and matches at the playing fields, which was gifted to the local people in 1960 by the previous landowners, Pitfour Estates.
The club entered into a 20-year lease with Glencarse Playing Fields Association stating that, if the grounds were maintained, no rent would be required.
But at the end of last week, Mr Ross received a letter stating that from January he may have to stump up hundreds of pounds in usage fees.
Mr Ross has accused some members of the park committee of deploying ”underhand” tactics to make way for a rival team and explained the pavilion would render Pitfour FC’s new £40,000 dressing rooms obsolete.
The idea for the domed building, which would house changing rooms, a meeting room, kitchen and toilet facilities, was dismissed by residents when it went to a public vote two years ago.
Though he accepts the sentiment of the offer, Mr Ross said the building would be a ”costly mistake”.
Tom McGinnis, chairman of Glencarse Playing Fields Association, said he was acting in the best interests of St Madoes villagers.
He explained: “Nothing is set in stone regarding the pavilion but when you are presented with an offer like this, you have to see if it is possible. The public will be the ones to make the decision, not the committee.”
He continued: “There are a lot of rumours going around but I want to reinforce that we support the work of Pitfour FC and respect the terms of the 20-year lease.
“If residents vote in favour of the pavilion and we prove to the sponsor (Mr Brown) that a range of groups would make use of it, the money to pay for the upkeep has to come from somewhere. The site is for the whole community.”
There is a public meeting in St Madoes hall on Monday, starting at 7.30pm.