• I AM 64, not nine, grew up in Islington, and played football as a youngster. Unfortunately, I was unable to write letters to a newspaper at that age (Barnard Park seven-a-side pitch will be way too small, September 29).

The plans for Barnard Park are a compromise. The seven-a-side pitch is an all-weather surface. If games are played from side to side, rather than full length, it can easily accommodate more youngsters playing football, plus there is a large grass area for further (football) games.

The footballing lobby want it all their own way and have allegedly enlisted the help of Arsenal football club to back their views and lobby the government. The new plan proposes a well-paved, marked distance walking/running path, and pleasant leafy sitting areas.

It is hoped, therefore, that it will benefit more members of the community and not a particular group. At present the park is unused 90 per cent of the time, especially in winter, when with the new proposed paths it could still be used.

I can’t play football now but I would like in the near future to be able to walk through a pleasant park on a good, well-paved walking/running path, perhaps with my Zimmer frame, and sit in a pleasant place watching youngsters playing football.

STEVE, N1