A FOOTBALL club’s pitches have been ‘churned up’ and ‘destroyed’ after travellers gained entry to the fields on Schneider Road, Barrow, last night.

According to Andrew Shipley, secretary of Barrow Celtic Junior Football Club -who use the pitches for training- police officers attended the scene but were unable to move the caravans on.

He has had to cancel all the club’s training and fixtures until an alternative location can be found.

“They’ve entered the field and stuck their claim on there,” he said.

“Unfortunately, with the bad weather we’ve had over the past few days they’ve destroyed the minis’ pitches and as they’ve driven on, they’ve torn up the pitches.

“The first pitch they drove through was the under sevens' and under eights' and the pitch is now churned up.

“The pitch is pretty much destroyed.

“And they’ve driven across the under nines’ and tens’ pitch and I think they’re also on one of the senior’s pitches.

“The police turned up and unfortunately there’s nothing they can do.

“I rang 101 and they’ve said it’s a council matter, they need to give them an eviction notice.”

Zoe Grogan, whose son plays for the club’s under eights team, has set up hashtag #giveusourpitchback in response.

“They’ve gone right through the middle and torn it up it is a complete mess,” she said.

“The kids have had a hell of a time the past year, they’ve only just got out of restrictions and started playing again.

“It’s really important for the kids’ mental and physical wellbeing to get out in the fresh air and back to the sport they love.”

Councillor Bill McEwan said he would be speaking to Barrow Borough Council about the matter.

“It’s disgusting they’ve dug the field up,” he said.

“My thoughts are with the children who want to play their football.

“Hopefully we can get them somewhere else in the meantime.”