Footballers told –“keep off the grass”

FOOTBALLERS have been warned by Hart District Council that unless they keep off council owned pitches this summer they will not be ready for the 2008-09 season.

Hart is using the close season to carry out renovation work to all of its outdoor sports sites.

However, the maintenance programme has already fallen behind because football teams and other activity groups have continued to use the areas.

Becky Phillips, Hart’s outdoor sports manager, says: “To enable our pitches to recover we are asking all teams not to train at any of our sites out of season.

“We would also encourage the public to stay off high stress areas such as goalmouths.”