A MANSFIELD running and athletics club may be forced to disband after being kicked off the site where they have trained since the 1950s.
The Mansfield Harriers and Athletics Club, who have about 300 members and compete at a national level, have been told to leave Berry Hill Park after a dispute with trustees.
A joint statement, issued by the board of trustees of Berry Hill Social Welfare Centre, said the decision was made after an incident earlier this month when it was claimed that members of the Harriers were verbally abusive to a football club training at the park.
Harriers chairman Paul Gair said the athletes were left upset when they arrived for regular Thursday training at the park's track and field facility only to find a football club using the field inside the track.
Some athletes were unaware the trustees had given the night to Woodhouse Colts FC, although the trustees gave seven days' notice.
Mr Gair said: "There was a lot of anger because we were given very little notice and we feel like we've been mistreated all along."
The decision to ask the club to leave also follows financial disputes between the two sides.
Mr Gair said the track and field side of the club had nowhere to train from November 1.
He said the only other possible sites were in Kirkby in Ashfield or at the Harvey Hadden Stadium, in Bilborough, both of which could be hard for members to reach.
He said: "Part of the club will fold. It will add to travelling, I think a lot of people will drop out of the sport. Mansfield will have no athletics club."
He added: "I'm bitterly disappointed, very, very upset."
The news has sparked concern from other athletes. Last night, three-time Olympian and European and Commonwealth 110m hurdle gold medallist Andy Turner tweeted: "Who do we need to speak to stop this happening?"
And Mick Robinson, chairman of Notts AC, said: "What is happening is ludicrous and this could have a massive, massive blow on Mansfield Harriers and Nottinghamshire athletics. The way they have built that club in the last decade or so is remarkable. It is unrecognisable from what it was. They are in the British League, have national juniors. They have produced top athletes like Ricky Soos. It needs sorting out."
A joint statement from the trustees said that although they needed income to repair and replace facilities, the behaviour of the club was a "price too high to pay", and added: "The trustees have acted to ensure such issues will continue to be dealt with through open and transparent processes and to manage Berry Hill Park in the interests of all who choose to use it."
