A CHAMPION hockey club may have to leave Horwich if it can't save its pitch.

Now players and supporters are campaigning to prevent Horwich Hockey Club's pitch from being given a new type of surface unsuitable for the game.

More than 500 people have signed an online petition calling on Bolton Council and Bolton Community Leisure to support the club by re-thinking the type of replacement playing surface earmarked for installation at Horwich Leisure Centre in Victoria Road, Horwich.

Player Callum Lyall said a carpet-like sand-based field is required but the proposed new longer artificial grass blades of a 3G football pitch are entirely unsuitable and are not approved by the sport's governing body.

He said: "This would mean that Horwich Hockey club would need to relocate their home pitch outside of Horwich and into Bolton where there are limited pitches already.

"We are urging Bolton Community Leisure Limited to change their mind and to replace the pitch with a suitable pitch that is compatible for us to continue playing hockey.

"If Horwich Hockey team were to lose their fight to save the pitch it could potentially mean the disbanding of the club and remove opportunities for local people to be involved in an every growing and progressive sport."

Horwich Hockey Club was only formed in 2014 and in their debut season the men's first team won, and gained promotion from the North West League Division Six North South (CORR) league, and they have been joined by a women's team.

The more than 500 signatories were gained within a day of the change.org petition being started on Wednesday and the aim is to reach 1,000 signatures.

Chairman of Bolton Hockey Club, Christian Williams, said: "I'm signing this because of the lack of facilities in the Bolton region that are suitable for hockey.

"A non-3G surface can be used for multiple sports. 3G limits usage and limits participation."

Jon Parr wrote: "As secretary of the Northwest Hockey Umpires Association it is evident just how short the North West is of quality playing surfaces without having to travel silly distances."

Iris Stanton's message was clear: "Keep Horwich Hockey Club in Horwich."

Since the approved scheme detailing the redevelopment of the leisure centre does not mention replacing the pitch, the club anticipates a separate planning application coming forward next summer for the work and is ready to oppose it.

Mr Lyall said the University of Bolton's hockey teams train on the same pitch and they would similarly have to find a new home if the 3G pitch is laid.