Football bosses say children will miss out on playing if travellers continue to destroy pitches and use the grounds as a toilet.

The warning comes after footage was taken showing a member of a travelling community driving a go-kart around the pitches at Dane Park in Margate, where Thanet Colts FC , which recently merged to become Ramsgate FC, play.

Watch: Go-karting through traveller camp caught on camera

The park is currently home to a group of travellers who are 'isolating' after driving down from Hampshire on Sunday with a child who tested positive for Covid-19.

Ian Heath, vice chairman of Ramsgate FC, says the destruction of the pitches is an ongoing problem and costs the club cash.

"It's not my money we're spending, this is the parents' and childrens' money which we could be spending on equipment for them," he said.

"It's appalling. Last year there were travellers at the park and they broke into the goal area and used it as a toilet.

"This is having a massive impact on the club. Once they've gone, we can't just start using the facility again, we've got to fix it all."

Mr Heath says he has spoken to the district council about putting bollards or a barrier up to stop travellers driving onto the pitches, something which has been done at Jackey Bakers in Ramsgate and at Garlinge.

"We pay for the facility at Dane Park and we lease the pavilion," he added.

"This isn't something we use for free."

Gavin Hill, from Ramsgate FC, says last year travellers drove around Dane Park in a go-kart dragging a spike around the ground.

"They were literally just gouging a long line through the pitch," he said.

"Dane Park is used by Kent League and so it has to be a specific standard. If it's not, we get fined.

"We have to refill and reseed it. There are so many kids playing football, they then have to get moved elsewhere because it can't be used and so other kids play somewhere else, but some won't end up being able to play because of this - they are directly affected."

Mr Hill says last year children going to collect the goals from the equipment area found human waste.

"There is a whole park and yet they park up on the pitches and ruin them," he added.

Cllr Gary Taylor, who represents Dane Valley on Thanet District Council, (TDC) says he has dealt with a bulk of complaints about the travellers all week.

"Residents have been asked to go through the anti-social behaviour route on the TDC website rather than put issues on social media," he said.

"My concern is the welfare of the local residents."

The large group of travellers at the park say they are isolating after one of their children tested positive for Covid-19.

Some 15 caravans are parked up after arriving on Sunday and overnight.

Cllr Taylor spoke to the travellers who showed him a hospital letter confirming a child had tested positive.

Special measures are currently in place to deal with unauthorised encampments during the pandemic, including offering support to traveller communities.

On its website, Thanet council says it has ceased evictions during the crisis due to welfare and safety concerns.

A spokesman for the council says the authority is aware of the unauthorised encampment and welfare checks are being carried out as required.

The authority has been asked for a comment relating to the football pitches.

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