Football club forced to cancel matches after travellers camp on pitch

A football club has been forced to cancel matches after travellers moved on to its pitch – leaving a trail of destruction.

Around 40 caravans set up camp at Wake Green FC, off Drawbridge Road, on Monday morning after a padlock was reportedly broken.

They left the club site, which is used for matches by hundreds of children, on Monday evening.

During their stay it is claimed the clubhouse was broken into and cash was stolen, while damage was also caused to the pitch.

The football club – run by volunteers – has now been forced to cancel games on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday so repairs can be carried out on the pitch and clubhouse.

A West Mercia Police spokeswoman confirmed they had received a report about a burglary at the club on Monday.

She said: “There were reports of cash stolen and outbuildings broken into.

“Enquiries are on-going. We are appealing for witnesses.

“Anyone with information should call 101 quoting incident number 0753S230418.”

Volunteer Ted James, 67, who has been a member for 52 years, said: “We are devastated because we are self-funded.

“All the money raised is by the people themselves, we get no grants from the council and it costs us £12,000 in rent and maintenance.

“We have five adult teams and nine children’s teams between eight and 15 years of age. Hundreds use the facility. It’s all voluntary.”

“They have left their rubbish on the pitch and human excrement. I can’t believe that.

“The bar is an absolute mess.”

Mr James said volunteers were going to start the clean-up tonight and tomorrow.

He said: “We were due to hold football matches on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday but we’ve had to cancel these but we are hoping to get the grounds ready for Saturday.”

Councillor Brian Holmes (Cons, Shirley West) said: “I used to run a football club on a Monday evening and we used to have 74 kids on the books and they used to let us it free of charge.

“They are wonderful group of people. This has left me feeling quite ill.”

Read more: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/football-club-forced-cancel-matches-14569941