A football club that was left seething after cars left huge tyre marks all over its pitches is now fighting back with members of the community rallying around to help resolve the problem.
As first reported in the Chronicle on March 4, officials from Baschurch Juniors were left fuming by mindless drivers who left circular dirt tracks all over the playing fields on Eyton Lane.
Despite locked gates, it was claimed that cars drove over steep grass mounds to access the pitches, leaving them almost unplayable and sparking fears that games would have to be called off.
But after hearing about the unprovoked attacks, two local businesses, Shropshire Stone & Granite Ltd and GAD Groundworks and Building Contractors Ltd, have now pledged to take matters into their own hands by donating materials to solve the issue.
The plan is to fill the remaining dirt tracks left by the cars with earth and then lay sandstone boulders around the edge of the playing fields to act as a barrier for cars.
Geoff Davies, who has a son playing in the club’s under-13 team and is owner of GAD groundworks, said: “It’s unbelievable what’s happened and I would obviously be keen to make a concerted effort so that it doesn’t happen again by helping to lay soil and boulders around the entrance. They should be driving on the roads rather than mucking around on our pitches.”
Anne Howls, Baschurch Parish Council clerk, said: “We are obviously very concerned as it appears they have been driving over the village hall land as well. We are looking at possibly putting boulders in front of the village hall.”
Market Drayton Tigers have offered the Baschurch outfit use of their playing facilities if the problem persists, and the Shropshire Junior Football League and the nearby village hall have both pledged their support.
Steve Minshall, treasurer for the Sunday league club, said: “The club is absolutely delighted with the response from the local community.”
By David Seadon
