Eastleigh Football Club has become the latest sports organisation to be hit by a wave of vandalism.

Graffiti has been daubed on advertising boards around the Stoneham Lane club's pitch and attempts have been made to break into the alarmed clubhouse, said spokes-man Pat Mallon.

The incident comes at the same time as a string of vandalism and thefts which have brought nearby British Transport Commission FC to its knees.

No one has yet been connected with the crimes.

A group of travellers has set up camp on Monks Brook playing fields, also on Stoneham Lane. Hampshire County Council is taking legal action at Southampton County Court tomorrow to evict the travellers from the site.

Last week the Daily Echo reported that BTC feared it would be forced to close if a reign of terror which has caused damage running into thousands of pounds was not brought to an end.

The travellers deny they are responsible for the vandalism and have threatened to move to the nearby cricket ground if they are evicted.

Traveller Tony Murphy said: "We don't want to leave. It's a nice site. They are blaming us for all sorts but it is nothing to do with us."

Acting Insp Dave Daniels said it was "highly probable" travellers were responsible for incidents at BTC including:

Thousands of pounds of broken windows.

Smashed glass strewn over the pitches.

The theft of a £400 alcohol delivery.

Human excrement left around the clubhouse.

Now BTC has been forced to board up its windows to prevent further damage.

The club fears if the troubles continue its insurance premium will rocket.

A police spokesman said none of the vandalism at Eastleigh Football Club had been reported to the force.