Fundraiser launched after travellers trash football pitch near Chesterfield – with litter, tyre marks and burnt out patches left behind
Sports grounds in Wingerworth are in dire need of restoration after an illegal traveller encampment has left behind a ‘significant amount of litter’, burnt out patches and tyre marks.
Travellers left the football pitch off The Avenue in Wingerworth late on Saturday, September 5, Derbyshire police have confirmed.
The illegal encampment, which was in the area for about a week, has left the football pitch trashed with ‘significant amount of litter’, burnt patches of grass, horse hooves and tyre marks found after travellers vacated the premises.
A spokesperson for Wingerworth and Rural Police SNT said: “If you are waking up on The Avenue, Wingerworth this morning, you may have noticed that the travelling community have moved on.
“A late night patrol of the area last night confirmed this.
“Please be aware that there is a significant amount of litter on the field so take care if you are deciding to access the area.”
Litter pickers attended the area yesterday (Sunday, September 6) to clean the sports ground and Wingerworth Junior Sports Association (JSA) launched a Go Fund Me page to restore the damaged football grounds.
The fundraiser appeal reads: “You will all have seen updates from the Avenue of the travellers illegal encampment on our pitches at the Avenue. This appeal is to pay for work to be done to restore them to the condition they were before.
"The Landlord will clean them up but the tyre marks, horse hooves and burnt out patches need attention.”
Cllr Ross Shipman, North East Derbyshire District member for Tupton, said: “Now that the illegal encampment at The Avenue, Wingerworth has finally left, the work doesn’t end there.
“Thank you to volunteers litter picking today and helping clear what they can.
“The football club is now faced with the huge task of getting the pitches back into a safe and playable condition following the damage caused during the illegal encampment.
“These pitches are used by local footballers, children and teams from across our community — and they need our help to get them back where they belong.
“A fundraiser has been launched to help cover the cost of restoring the pitches.
“If you can spare anything, please donate and help get Wingerworth JSA kids back playing football again.
“Every £1 will make a difference.”
The Go Fund Me got a great response so far raising £1,155k out of £1.8k needed in just 19 hours.
You can donate to support the efforts to restore the football grounds here.