Can I sue for any reason

[Josho]

I must warn you this is probably fuelled by anger and therefore childish.

We have played football at a council run sports park for 6 years.

Someone took over as manager last year and it has caused us hell.

They undercharged for bookings and then from then on I was chased for money, then told I was in credit but she will need to check, then ignored for a month, then chased again.

After months I got a statement out of them, highlighted their mistakes and then settled up imediately.

Anyway they received a booking form, replied to my email.

They then months later said they didn't have it and changed all bookings to hourly. So we had 8.30-10 and now were offered 9-10 which is not enough.

She is so rude and hard to deal with. I paid for time over lockdown were we didn't play.

Anyway my contract was 1st September 2019-31 Aug 2020.

They reopened on the 10th August. I didn't play but the lads got on okay. Next week we are told we don't have a booking. We got on at 9 and was told to email.

I did and received a right stty reply and told if we show up again then we would be asked to leave site.

I sent back a screenshot of our contract and asked for the last 2 weeks to be sorted for us to play 8.30-10

She has just said there is nothing further to comment on and to complain which I just have.

It's a joke. We didn't play for 3 times in the year so I have argued I want my money back. They state it is a 2 week notice and I have said it clearly doesn't matter because they have broken contract anyway.

Am I right?

Like I said I am probably being childish but I am absolutely livid. I can't believe the way they are treating us after being there for 6 years.

I have been told by someone in the know that the council 1st team want slots back and this is likely why we are being booted out.

[syl]

You can, but you’ll need to prove what your losses are (like paying more for somewhere else, travel costs, etc). Probably not worth it.

[randlemarcus]

It's a Council facility, so look up your local Councillor, write a calm and reasoned complaint to them, emphasizing your long relationship, and sit back and watch the feathers fly.

[andyalan10]

When you say that she told you to complain, I would have asked who to, as there is not much point complaining to a person with whom you've lost faith in their ability to do anything.

If they don't have an official complaints procedure I'd be looking to the council's leisure department or whatever, or a local elected councillor. Also if it is run by an outside company on behalf of the council, they will probably have staff more senior than a local manager you could try speaking to.

Andy

[Chrisgr31]

If they have shut the facility then you shouldnt have to pay, equally they cant unilaterally change the hours unless the contract lets them.

However a nicely worded letter to the Head of Leisure at the council will probably get a result.

[ging84]

is it a grass football pitch ?

[The Mad Monk]

Josho said:

I am really fed up

and asked the question

"Can I sue for any reason?"

The answer, almost certainly is, yes you can.

It may not get very far, it may get thrown out, you may lose.

IANAL,O

[hutchst]

People dealing with stuff like this working from home are doing a fantastic job. I can't see anybody, anywhere, ever, going back to working in an office. We're just so much more efficient now.

Edited by hutchst on Sunday 23 August 03:24

[Derek Smith]

hutchst said:

People dealing with stuff like this working from home are doing a fantastic job. I can't see anybody, anywhere, ever, going back to working in an office. We're just so much more efficient now.

Edited by hutchst on Sunday 23 August 03:24

This is hardly something that has started since the lockdown, and the increase in working from home.

10 years ago, my rugby team turned up for an away match at a council run pitch. The home team was already there and I walked over to what was obviously a bit of an argument. There was the other team's coach apparently completely unfazed by a chap in football kit who was gesticulating towards the pitch. The changing rooms were disgorging about 18 home rugby players who were headed for the coach.

Our coach told us to stay by our cars and made his way towards the opposing coach. Always willing to obey directions from our coach, my team sort of followed slowly, but with an obvious sense of direction. The willingness of the football player was waning slightly as some of his teammates were stepping back, no doubt concerned by about 40 rugby players. The away coach produced a form, receipt for the booking fee, all properly dated, which he showed to the football player who dismissed it as inconsequential.

A phone call to the council booking department reduced an automated reply.

In the end, weight won the day, although the football players wandered off with threats of, 'You haven't heard the last of this."

[The Mad Monk]

Derek Smith said:

This is hardly something that has started since the lockdown, and the increase in working from home.

10 years ago, my rugby team turned up for an away match at a council run pitch. The home team was already there and I walked over to what was obviously a bit of an argument. There was the other team's coach apparently completely unfazed by a chap in football kit who was gesticulating towards the pitch. The changing rooms were disgorging about 18 home rugby players who were headed for the coach.

Our coach told us to stay by our cars and made his way towards the opposing coach. Always willing to obey directions from our coach, my team sort of followed slowly, but with an obvious sense of direction. The willingness of the football player was waning slightly as some of his teammates were stepping back, no doubt concerned by about 40 rugby players. The away coach produced a form, receipt for the booking fee, all properly dated, which he showed to the football player who dismissed it as inconsequential.

A phone call to the council booking department reduced an automated reply.

In the end, weight won the day, although the football players wandered off with threats of, 'You haven't heard the last of this."

Not quite sure what you are saying?

Are you saying the ground was double booked?

two football teams turned up, and two rugby teams turned up - for the same area of grass? Surely the successful party would be the ones for whom the pitch was marked out?

Were there rugby posts up, or soccer posts up?

[Andeh1]

randlemarcus said:

It's a Council facility, so look up your local Councillor, write a calm and reasoned complaint to them, emphasizing your long relationship, and sit back and watch the feathers fly.

Emails your MP, with the evidence and remain factual & concise. Your MP will drive daggers through the department, starting from the top and cascading it down. They WILL get involved for you.

Google "they work for you" for all relevant details on how to contact your MP.

Have fun & keep us updated!

[CubanPete]

Raise it on the local council's complaints portal.

[Foliage]

Football matches are 45 minutes each way the new business manager offers slots in 1 hour increments, contact your MP on twitter...

[KAgantua]

Use a tennis racket to hammer frozen oranges into the pitch....

[Byker28i]

Foliage said:

Football matches are 45 minutes each way the new business manager offers slots in 1 hour increments, contact your MP on twitter...

Local Councillor first, they generally know who within the council and have more clout