TRAVELLERS have been accused of wrecking a football pitch and leaving behind piles of rubbish.
Six caravans have now left playing fields in Bromley Road, Colchester, after four days.
One of the pitches, used by Gas Recreation Football Club, was damaged and will cost £3,000 to repair.
Mark Ennew, chairman, said: “The travellers have gone, but left two fires alight, rubbish and even human excrement had been left in dug-out holes.
“The worst thing is they have driven across the football pitch and caused damage.
“We only get money from minimal sponsorship and volunteers put money in.
“We have been running on a shoestring for years and the travellers have destroyed it.”
Police attended the site on Sunday at 10am after residents complained about noise coming from generators being used by the travellers.
Officers spoke to the travellers, who left on Sunday at 2.45pm.
The club will be meeting this week to discuss how to fund the repairs.
Mr Ennew appealed for the public’s help, adding: “If anyone would be prepared to put a little time or effort in, it would be much appreciated.”
Gas Recreation’s two teams, which play in the Essex and Suffolk Border League, have 12 matches to play at the ground by May 19.
The club has games left to play this season, including fixtures tonight and tomorrow.
Mr Ennew said they would still be able to go ahead as the second pitch was undamaged.
A spokesman for Essex Police said officers had spoken to the travellers before they left.
He said: “The travellers left the site and headed south onto the A12 and then onto the A120 towards Braintree.”
The Gazette spoke to the travellers when they arrived.
They said they had permission by landowner Dish Land to stay there.
They denied a pile of rubbish dumped nearby had been left by them and said they had not come to cause any trouble.
Before arriving at the site they had spent four days on privately-owned land opposite Rapid Electronics, in Severalls Lane, Colchester.
They said they come from a site near Heathrow Airport and were travelling over Easter.
Dish Land, which owns the land, could not be contacted for a comment yesterday.
Colchester mayor Helen Chuah, a borough councillor for St Anne’s, said: “I had phone calls from residents at Salary Brook to say the travellers were making a lot of noise and burning things.
“We went down there and there were two fire engines, one stayed by the gate and the other drove across the field to see them. A police car came soon after.
“I am glad they have gone, but I am not happy about the rubbish they have left behind and the damage to the environment. Who is going to pick up the pieces?”
Anyone who can help Gas Recreation can call Mr Ennew on 07717 750383.
n Lib Dem Mrs Chuah is standing for re-election in St Anne’s ward in the Colchester Council election against Lucy Glover – Green, Alexandra Hutchinson – Con, Luke Dopson – Labour.
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