Youth football club's dismay as travellers invade the pitch during training - and refuse to leave

More than 30 caravans and motorhomes drove onto the Wingfield base of Greasbrough Youth FC during training on Wednesday evening, as stunned parents and coaches looked on.

Chairman Craig Williams said the club had been given no option but to scrap training that evening and every day since due to the unexpected arrivals.

He said the police have been called at least twice since due to break-ins at a compound on the site, which is owned by Rotherham Council but managed by the football club.

Mr Williams said club members were frustrated, especially as travellers had camped on the site last year, too.

“We just wanted them moved as soon as possible,” he said.

“The police said they can’t do anything about it.

“But we need more protection in future to stop it happening again.”

Mr Williams said he understood pupils at nearby Roughwood Primary School had been kept inside yesterday due to missiles being thrown over the playground fence.

Rotherham Council is understood to have instigated legal proceedings to evict the travellers, but once a removal notice is granted, health assessments have to be carried out on all the travellers before they can be thrown off the site.

A police spokesperson said a burglary had been reported at the playing field on Roughwood Road at 2.30pm yesterday.

“It is understood that children entered the building and a number of trophies were taken, which have since been recovered,” they said.

“No suspects have been identified and enquiries are ongoing.”

RMBC have been contacted for comment.