Police are exercising powers under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act to direct travellers to leave land at Chester Football Club by 10am tomorrow (Friday, March 14).
Over the last two days about a half dozen caravans and motor homes had parked up on the club car park and a rear exit road – although some left this afternoon.
The travellers told The Chronicle they were just passing through the area and indicated they would comply with the direction to leave.
Kelly Marie O’Brien, 16, who called herself a Gypsy, said: “We are not here to cause trouble. We just needed to stay somewhere. They should make more sites for travellers because there are not many available for travellers.”
Kelly, who is with her father, sister and brother, said police had advised her family of a home football match taking place this Saturday and said it would be best if they moved on before then.
The teenager, who was born in Gloucester, said the settled community always judged travellers as troublemakers, which was hurtful.
Her sister Bridie O’Brien, 23, added: “Non-travellers call us pigs and scum which is not very nice. There are bad apples in every tree.”
Cheshire West and Chester Council, which owns the football club ground and car park, did not wish to comment. Neither did Chester FC.
But Inspector Steve Precious of Cheshire Police said: “We were informed of travellers at Chester Football Club on March 11th and following consultation with the council we issued a section 61 notice earlier today. As a consequence of that notice the travellers should leave the site by 10am tomorrow (Friday).”
The notice says all persons on council land off Sovereign Way, Chester, are trespassing and must leave with their property and vehicles. Failure to leave as “soon as reasonably practicable” or re-entering the land within three months could lead to arrest and prosecution.
Police, who have cited seven cars and vans in the order, say they have the power to seize any vehicles that remain on the land.
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