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East Leeds RL players left without a pitch
More than 200 junior rugby league players at an historic east Leeds club have been left without anywhere to play after travellers have occupied their pitches for two months.
Leeds City Council have tried and failed three times to take court action against the encampment on the former Copperfield's College site in Cross Green.
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Around 60 caravans have been on pitches used by youngsters from East Leeds ARLFC since May.
Club chiefs are now faced with a desperate search to find alternative facilities for training and matches before the new season gets under way.
The club has a long pedigree in producing top class professional players including Leeds Rhinos heroes Danny McGuire, Richie Mathers and Leroy Rivett.
Club committee member, Steve Jones, said: "We have spoken with the council several times and they have been confident that they would get this camp moved by taking the matter to the courts. But they have had no success so far.
"This is causing a lot of disappointment for a lot of young kids.
Training for the new season is due to begin in two weeks and we don't have anywhere definite for them to go.
"We pay rent to the council for the use of the pitches, so to see the matter drag on for two months is more than disappointing for all the youngsters and 60 volunteers involved with the club."
East Leeds operate eight junior teams in local leagues, ranging from under 8s to under 15s.
Mr Jones added: "This club is a big part of Leeds's sporting set up. We have a constant flux of young players who become very successful in the professional ranks."
Coun Les Carter, executive member for neighbourhoods and housing, said: "We are committed to dealing with unauthorised encampments as far as we are able within the law. Our legal team are considering the court's judgement with a view to further legal action so that we can
deal with this issue as quickly as possible.
"We are aware of the problems the club faced last year regarding access to their pitches – we provided two new rugby pitches at Fearnville Sports Centre for them to use.
"Since their pitches will not be available for the start of the season in September, we are working hard to make sure that their junior teams have access to rugby pitches as close to their community as possible.
"We are hoping to have a new rugby pitch in place at East End Park as well as the pitch that is already in use on Easy Road."
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Weather for Pudsey
Wednesday 08 February 2012
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