A JUNIOR football club from Stretford has been ousted from its pitches by a large group of travellers.

Joey Jones, founder and secretary of Stretford Victoria FC, received a call from a coach on Monday to tell him around 20 caravans were set up on the club's pitches at Highfield.

The travellers allegedly broke the lock on the gate to the council-owned pitches before setting up.

Joey went down and spoke to some of the travellers, who assured him that the group will leave alone the metal containers with all of the club's equipment inside.

But Joey, who has run the club as a volunteer for almost 45 years, is concerned after a similar experience ten months ago on different pitches used by the club.

He said: "Ten months ago, some travellers went on Turn Moss and wrecked our cabin.

"They used one of those big metal grinders to get in.

"There was nothing in there - it was all kit and balls.

"They made a mess of it and it cost a fortune to get it sorted."

Joey is in contact with the police and Trafford Council over an eviction notice, but in the meantime the club's six to 12-year-olds have nowhere to train.

The club has also had to move its end-of-season presentations.

"It's just been an absolute nightmare," said Joey.

"We going to put a gazebo and a bouncy castle up, everything.

"But if there are 20-odd caravans still there, you've no chance."

Joey is also worried about the mess left behind when the travellers decide to move on.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the council said: "Trafford Council has begun legal proceedings to evict travellers from Stretford Victoria Junior Football Club’s Highfield pitches."