Car yobs spoil pitch

A football pitch envied by visiting teams has been ruined after cars were driven over it, tearing up the grass.

The pitch, at Fernwood, has been targeted three times.

Mr John Jeys, the estate supervisor for Peverel OM, the company that manages the maintenance of the estate, said he was looking at the cost of putting fencing near the road to stop vehicles gaining access.

He said the pitch might need to be reseeded or relaid.

Mr Jeys said: “This is the third time this has happened in a two-week period.

“They have been driving all over it.”

Mr Graham Pelling, the co-chairman of Fernwood Foxes and manager of the under-12s team, said visiting teams often commented on the high quality of the pitch when playing at Fernwood.

He was saddened by the incidents.

Mr Pelling was concerned pitch fees would rise to pay for the damage.

The incidents have been reported to the police.