THE chairman of an amateur football league has challenged a local politician to a match, after he labelled his players 'a bunch of idol amateurs'.

Eamonn McManara, of the Sunday league which plays on Moor Park, has invited Lib Dem councillor Mick Moulding to the next club meeting to explain himself.

Coun Moulding, who represents Moor Park ward, made the comments during a discussion of plans to build an access route for cars into the middle of the Preston park.

He said: "It is going to cost the council a lot of money to create this access route in order to satisfy a few idol amateur footballers who cannot be bothered walking 100 yards to collect their cars. There should be no cars allowed on the park, except for the vehicles used by disabled people."

The outspoken councillor's attack has sparked a war of words, with the football league chairman accusing him of using 'exotic language' to get his case heard.

Mr McManara said: "Councillor Moulding has no right to verbally abuse decent people. It is unfortunate that he chooses to make such comments. He is clearly not involved in local amateur football and it is sad he feels he has to say such things."

He added: "If you ban cars from the park people will have to put their cars on side streets and there would be complaints about traffic chaos."

Coun Moulding is opposing plans for a route for cars from The Avenue to the pavilion.

But the council says the consultation exercise is part of a £40,000 traffic management scheme to make the park more accessible for users, including members of four amateur clubs which meet at the weekend.

Now Coun Moulding has joined forces with colleague Coun Pat Whittle to fight the proposals. Armed with a 400-name petition, the duo intend to take their argument to a council meeting today (Thursday) and will call for the proposals to be altered in favour of improving the children's play area in the park.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.