Lawford football pitch ruined after reckless villagers use if for BBQ

Lawford Football Club’s pitch, which is used by hundreds of people in the area, was left ruined after people decided to have a barbecue.

Apart from burning the field in around five different places, the careless residents also left their rubbish behind for the club to clear up.

David Gray, 50, of School Lane, Lawford, who is the club’s under-14s manager, said it was an “issue of respect” for the club.

He said: “The club works so hard and spends thousands of pounds to provide something of a very high standard for the community and people are just not respecting it at all.

“It is council land but normally the council has the say what goes on that land and we pay the rent and do all the upkeep.

“We have got tractors, rollers, we seed the grass and cut it.

“We have done that for over 50 years so we have got a huge community following.

“There will be a cost implication as we have to pay around £150 to repair it.”

The pitch was burnt in several places

It is not just the barbecue incident that has been making football coaches concerned.

Dog fouling is another major problem they are facing and the club says it is getting worse.

Mr Gray said: "It is disgusting – it is a lack of respect and a lack of understanding about the community and what the community offers.

“If you go on a Saturday morning you have 250 people training plus another 50 to100 parents watching.

“People are putting their effort and time into the future of children and other people really do not appreciate it.

“You have people walking across the pitch with dogs while we are training .

“It is massively disrespectful to the kids.”

The club is now hoping to speak with Lawford Parish Council about installing more signs to prevent dog-fouling.

Mr Gray added: “Why would you have a barbecue on a football pitch?

“Why would you walk your dog when people are training?

“Some people think they can do and say what they want without repercussions.”