Hampton Youth Footballers Battle for Park

12.11.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 6th May 2003

Hampton foot balling teenagers, in the Hampton Rangers, are battling to keep their pitch on Hatherop Park, Hampton, and have enlisted the help of MP Vincent Cable to back their case.

The Rangers, who field teenage teams of different ages, compete well in the Surrey Youth League but have a big headache: their pitch on Hatherop Park is regarded by the league as substandard because there are no changing rooms.

The future is therefore uncertain. The pavilion was burnt down by vandals several years ago and although Richmond Borough

Council received the insurance money it is still sitting in the council's coffers in the absence of a plan to improve the park.

The boys have also lost their training ground on Oldfield Road after the owners, Thames Water, refused continued access after the pavilion there was, also, separately, vandalised.

Vincent Cable, who presented merit awards to the teams on Sunday said: "Everyone in the borough, and especially Hampton, who wants to help young people in a positive way should learn from this story and do whatever they can to assist these keen and talented boys and their dedicated parents and "

"supporters. "

"Hitherto vandals have been allowed to dictate the agenda. "

"The authorities - especially the council - have just given in to vandalism instead of fighting back to ensure that Hatherop Park serves the local community. I have recently had a modestly encouraging letter from the Parks Manager saying that some improvements may be forthcoming, so there is hope".