Football pitches at Pitchside in Stanhope, Ashford, to stay closed 'for foreseeable future'

A football facility which recently underwent a £100,000 upgrade is to remain closed for the foreseeable future – leaving teams with nowhere to play.

More than 250 footballers take part in Soccersixes leagues at Pitchside in Stanhope Road, Ashford, each week.

But the site, owned by Ashford Borough Council, shut suddenly at the beginning of August and all games had to be cancelled after it was targeted by vandals.

The netball and tennis courts at the neighbouring Courtside facility reopened at the start of September, but Pitchside's grass and 3G football pitches are set to remain closed until next year.

Council bosses say more work than anticipated is needed to bring them up to scratch.

They spent £100,000 upgrading Pitchside last spring, installing new floodlights on the 3G and grass pitch, new goals, fencing and a new boiler in the changing rooms.

But the site's closure means Soccersixes players will not be able to return for "the foreseeable future" – and the contract it has had with the council has been terminated suddenly.

League manager Rob Unsworth said: "They cancelled the bookings without any warning and there has been no communication.

"We've got 250-odd lads with nowhere to play."

Mr Unsworth admits there are long-running "issues" at the site – but a much of it is out of their control.

"Local youths turn up on scooters around the pitch – they're not associated with my booking – but it is very hard to police those people because there is no security," he said.

"I got an email to say it has been closed indefinitely saying the pitch and surroundings are worse than they thought but they still haven't said what is wrong with it.

"We have got other leagues at the North School; we can try and get another booking there