HUNDREDS of young footballers could miss out on their weekend kick-about as their pitch is demolished to make way for a new skatepark.

Youngsters who play at Stubbington Recreation Ground will have to make do with only one full-sized pitch after the council approved the site to accommodate the new teenage amenity.

Dave Bowshell, secretary of the Stubbington Juniors' club, which has played matches on the ground since 1976 and has about 150 members, said it is unfair and will spell disaster.

He said: "I am very upset about this. We were not even consulted. Our footballers and Crofton Saints who have about 250 players that use the ground may have to go to Wicor Rec in Portchester to play some of their matches. It's inconvenient and it's not their home ground."

Mr Bowshell, 57, is also worried that there may be clashes between skateboarders and footballers.

He said: "I'm worried that the skateboarders will want to use the changing room toilets which could lead to confrontation between the two groups. I think it's far from ideal. I have tried to make my objections felt but it's useless."

Stubbington recreation ground, in Bells Lane, currently holds four pitches, two adult and two junior. But the park's unwelcome intrusion will see one of those turned on its side to create two mini-pitches instead. Chairman of the Gosport and Fareham Football League, Bob Pollard, said: "Everyone thinks the skatepark should go ahead, but not on this site. They cannot just provide one facility by taking another away."

However, it's not only local football teams who have been upset by the plans.

Residents have lodged a petition with the council claiming the site is unsuitable and will cause an increase in noise levels around their peaceful neighbourhood.

Chairman for the leisure and community review panel, Councillor Tim Knight, said two new football pitches were due to be built at Seafield Park in Hill Head later in the year.

The council executive are set to consider the petition submitted by residents against the skatepark at their meeting next Monday night.