FOOTBALLERS had to cancel matches after allegedly being attacked by travellers' children wielding sticks.
Coaches say 10 members of the Winnington Firsts senior football team were hit by sticks thrown by the youngsters - some as young as four or five - while they were training on the Winnington Avenue pitches.
A group of travellers set up a temporary home around the pitches last week, and their presence caused problems when the footballers arrived for training.
Ian Thomas, manager, said: 'There were four children chucking sticks at us, trying to take the balls and join in. The junior team who trained before us also had problems.
'They started throwing things so we thought it was time to disappear.' Police said they had no reports of trouble regarding the travellers. Angela Hase, of Northwich's Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said: 'No incidents have been reported to the police, the only report we are aware of is one made to Northwich Town Council.
'We understand the travellers' children decided to join in a training session on Wednesday evening, along with their dogs. '
But Mr Thomas said the team were forced to cancel pre-season friendlies against Oldham and Poynton on Saturday because there were 19 caravans parked there. He said: 'There were caravans around the sides of the two senior pitches and vans in the goalmouths.'
Peter Bellis, chairman of Winnington Avenue Youth Club, added: 'The youngsters were training and young lads kept hitting them with sticks as they were running past.
'A lot of hard work goes into organising the matches and even more goes into canceling them.'
Mr Bellis and a Chronicle photographer were threatened with violence when they returned to investigate on Monday night.
Huey Smith, president of the Gypsy Council, said he did not condone the actions of the travellers, but said land must be set aside for them.
Northwich Town Council chief executive Steve Sharman said a notice had been issued ordering the travellers to leave by Friday.
