Eviction under way after campers occupy Redcar Athletic playing fields
Junior football in Redcar has been thrown into disruption after a group set up camp on the playing fields used by Redcar Athletic. The club cancelled its matches for the week after the campers arrived at the site on Sunday lunchtime, citing concerns about safety and damage to the pitches.
The club contacted the North Riding FA and informed parents of the decision to postpone fixtures. Club president Kevin Fryatt said the priority was preventing vehicles moving near the playing surfaces. He warned that there had already been reports of people driving across the pitches and in nearby streets.
"The last thing we want is vehicles moving in or near our pitches, everything has been cancelled and that is the situation at the moment. We know there is some damage, I have had reports that they have driven around the pitches and around the streets near the ground."
Local representatives have become involved. The area's MP, Anna Turley, said she had received reports of dangerous driving and damage to the site. At borough level, council leader Alec Brown said the authority was "doing everything we can to resolve the situation as quickly as possible while following legal procedures".
A council officer visited the site to begin the formal eviction process after determining the occupants were on land considered unacceptable under the authority's unauthorised encampment procedure. The council has to follow set legal steps before a full removal can take place.
Impact on community football and local residents
The immediate consequence is the loss of training and fixtures for junior players who rely on the club for coaching and social activity. While the club and county FA have acted swiftly to protect youngsters, cancellations will still disrupt weekend routines and could lead to rearranged fixtures and fixture congestion in the coming weeks.
Local residents have also raised concerns about vehicle movement and potential damage to green space. The council's classification of the land as unacceptable for encampment under its own procedures is the basis for the eviction steps now under way.
- Stakeholders involved: Redcar Athletic, North Riding FA, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, local MP
- Immediate action: Matches cancelled; council officer visited site; eviction process begun
- Reported issues: Dangerous driving, damage to pitches, disruption to junior football
| Actor | Role | Statement / Action |
|---|---|---|
| Redcar Athletic | Club | Cancelled matches; alerted North Riding FA; reported damage |
| North Riding FA | Governing body | Contacted by club regarding cancellations |
| Redcar & Cleveland Council | Local authority | Officer visited; eviction process started under unauthorised encampment rules |
| Anna Turley MP | Area MP | Received reports of dangerous driving and damage |
Those who use the club’s facilities, and families who bring children to matches, face an uncertain short-term period while the council progresses its legal options. Residents will expect the authority to balance the need for a lawful resolution with safety for children and the wider community.
As proceedings continue, the club and local officials have urged patience while following due process. The priority remains to restore the pitches for community use as quickly and safely as possible.
The situation will be monitored locally for any further developments, including the council’s timeline for eviction and assessment of any repair work needed to the playing surfaces.
