A CAR was filmed doing wheelies and churning up a county football pitch after travellers parked up next door.
Caldicot Town AFC had to call off training sessions as matches were also thrown into doubt due to damage from the car and quad bikes on the council-owned King George V playing fields on Sunday (July 24).
Footage of the silver-coloured car ‘doing doughnuts’ beside several parked caravans was posted on the club’s social media.
The club, which held its AGM on Tuesday night, posted on Sunday: “Today we had some unwelcome guests turn up on our junior football pitch.
“The guests are currently ruining (quad bikes, etc) the football pitch , which had been marked ready for games (children’s games) cancelled as a result today.
“We are very disappointed to say the least, that we now have to cancel junior games, and all club team training on that pitch until the matter is resolved.
“The club is currently working with the local authorities and police to resolve the matter.
“We have planned a reserve fixture this Wednesday, and a final 1st Team friendly this weekend on the main pitch. We will make a decision on those games in next few days.”
The club also posted the rules and regulations regarding the removal of unauthorised campsites.
A member of another football club replied: “Good luck, took a month to get a group of travellers moved from our car park at our pitch.”
The video footage was also posted on the town’s community Facebook page, promoting a deluge of angry comments, but administrators later removed the film and thread.
A Gwent Police spokesperson said: “We are aware of an encampment on George V playing fields, Caldicot.
“We are working with the local council and are responding to concerns raised by the local community.
“Anyone with concerns can contact us at any time via our website, on social media or calling us by dialling 101.”
Monmouthshire County Council added that it was “engaged with the travelling community present” and is “actively working with community representatives and partner agencies.”
Explaining the removal of the film and posts on the town’s community Facebook page, administrator Ian Davies said: “We have received messages from group members unhappy that their posts or comments have been removed today.
“Some posts were reported and were removed because people were becoming hostile and others were removed as deemed offensive.
“Decisions to remove are discussed in admin chat and feedback is given.
Please look at the rules of the group and if you don’t agree with them then this group isn’t for you.”