A HAMPSHIRE football team is on the brink of closure because vandals have repeatedly left a trail of destruction across its land.
About 150 players - aged from eight years upwards - would be left to find somewhere else to play if British Transport Club Southampton is forced out of existence.
In the past three weeks members have been left in despair as the club has been brought close to bankruptcy.
It has suffered:
£1,000 worth of smashed windows.
The theft of £400 worth of alcohol.
Human excrement left around the clubhouse.
Broken glass scattered across the pitches.
Young footballers chased off pitches.
A tirade of abuse.
Club members blame the trouble on a huge encampment of travellers who moved next door to their Stoneham Lane clubhouse and pitches shortly before the problems began.
About 30 caravans have been on the Monks Brook playing field for about five weeks.
Dave Daniels, acting inspector at Portswood police station, said it was "highly probable" the travellers were responsible for the damage. He said: "There's a high probability it may well be the travellers. The difficulty we have is unless we see anybody committing the crime then our powers are limited."
But Hampshire County Council, which owns the land, has said it is powerless to act until a court date is set for a judge to hand out an eviction order.
A spokeswoman said: "There are legal processes we have to follow. We're doing everything we can but until we get a court date our hands are tied."
The club says it cannot go on sustaining losses running into thousands of pounds.
President Damon Brown said: "If they were here for another month I'd give it up.
"Financially we're not in a fantastic position and if we're not trading we're still spending. We're not out to make profit but if we're not selling anything we're losing money."
A prize-giving event expected at attract an audience of 350 has already has to be cancelled, while a traditional bi-annual match with a visiting French team had been transferred to a new pitch costing the club another £100.
He said: "We've got insurance but if you make a claim they just put it on your insurance bill for next year. We'd be better off if they burnt the place down.
"I'm frustrated. I've been making phone calls since I drove past five weeks ago and saw them coming on.
"It's been every single day for the last five weeks."
BTC Southampton, which played its first match in 1923, is set to run 16 teams next season if it can stay open.
A host of other clubs - including Old Tauntonians, Eastleigh Comrades, and sides from Southampton Senior Football League - also use the pitches.
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