A FOOTBALL tournament involving 700 youngsters might have to be cancelled unless travellers leave Feniscliffe playing fields.

Blue Star Youth Football Club had planned to host a major tournament at the playing fields this weekend.

But they have been unable to mark out the pitches because of the travellers' camp.

And even if the field is cleared by the weekend, they fear the ground will have been damaged by the travellers' vehicles.

The club is searching for an alternative venue for the two-day tournament.

Secretary Jane Murphy said: "We have 650 to 700 boys coming from Coventry, Liverpool - all over the place. The coaches are all paid for and we have paid for £700 worth of trophies for the players.

"But it looks like we will be lucky if we can get on to the field. We are hoping someone can come up with an alternative, although we know it is short notice."

"The boys would be devastated if we had to cancel and it would be very embarrassing for the club."

Anyone who can provide an alternative venue should contact Mrs Murphy on 01254 706735.

Previous news story

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