After an unprecedented week for English football, when four of the nation’s teams contested two European cup finals, the domestic game appears to be in rude health.

But the chances of another European final in which homegrown stars such as Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold do battle is becoming more remote. Britain’s football pitches are in decline, something that experts say jeopardises the country’s ability to develop the next generation of stars.

Data released under the Freedom of Information Act reveals that more than 700 council football pitches have been lost since 2010.

“Losing these council pitches shows what the government’s slash-and-burn approach to local government means in reality,” said Tim Roache, general secretary of the GMB union, which obtained the figures before its annual congress next Sunday 9 June. “Councils have had their funding cut in half since 2010 – they’re struggling to fund the basics and keep the show on the road.”

The figures show that there were 710 fewer local-authority owned or operated football pitches in the financial year 2017/18 than there were in 2009/10 – before the Conservatives’ austerity project began.

The worst-hit region was the north-west, which lost 164 pitches during that period. Other heavily affected regions included Yorkshire, which lost 76, London which lost 54 and the West Midlands, which lost 84. Scotland lost 129 pitches and Wales 82.

“We’ve just had two English teams in the Champions League final – while the England men and women’s national teams are about to head into international tournaments,” Roache said. “Just contrast that with this sorry state of affairs at the grassroots, where opportunities for the next generation of players are being trashed.”

Much of the land is being sold to property developers. The sell-off is in addition to land disposed of by schools. Earlier research by the GMB revealed some 215 school pitches had been sold since 2010, similar to the number sold under Labour.

In 2009 Jeremy Hunt, then shadow culture, media and sport secretary, declared: “The fact that more than 200 pitches have been sold with direct ministerial approval shows Labour’s commitment to school sport is nothing more than an empty promise.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest A child enjoys a kickabout in Scunthorpe. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

In addition to raising money from the sale of the land, councils save cash by no longer having to maintain the pitches. But as the sales continue there are concerns that they are becoming a factor in Britain’s mounting obesity crisis.

“Council-owned football pitches are a cherished local service and we have long made the case for the importance of leisure facilities and outdoor spaces for people’s health and wellbeing,” said councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson, chair of the Local Government Association’s culture, tourism and sport board. “In the face of the current childhood obesity epidemic, football pitches are a key resource. We know pitches are enjoyed by children and young people across the country, and sit at the heart of local communities.”

Vernon-Jackson added: “Since 2010, councils have lost 60p out of every £1 they had from central government to spend on services. At the same time, pressures are growing in children’s services, adult social care, and efforts to tackle homelessness. This is leaving increasingly less money for councils to fund other services, like sports and leisure facilities.”

Leroy Rosenior, the former West Ham, Fulham and QPR striker, said the measure would have a serious impact on communities. “It’s a national tragedy that fewer and fewer kids will have a place to play as a result of shortsighted cuts, putting efforts to open football up to more youngsters and develop diverse, welcoming and healthy sporting communities in jeopardy,” he said.

Rosenior will address the GMB congress in his capacity as an ambassador for the grassroots charity Show Racism the Red Card. “Grassroots football is the breeding ground for the next generation of England stars, but it’s also a crucial arena for tackling racism and discrimination at an early age,” he said. “Selling off pitches reduces the number of open and inclusive arenas where young footballers can grow and develop.”

The government said: “We are completely committed to playing our part in strengthening grassroots football in this country. Over four years almost £100m of public money is being used to help build and upgrade artificial and grass pitches, encourage greater participation and enhance coaching programmes.”