A cricket ground has been 'absolutely ruined' by human waste and tyre marks after travellers set up camp. A group of travellers, reported to be towing 18 caravans, moved onto the grounds of Cavaliers & Carrington Cricket Club on Esher Grove, Mapperley Park, at around 9pm on Sunday, April 16.
The club leases the cricket ground from the city council and was in the process of serving an eviction notice to the group before they left on the evening of Monday, April 17. Kafeel Shafique, 30, first team club captain and committee member, said significant damage had been caused by the trespassing group.
"The cricket square is absolutely ruined, it has tyre marks all over it which are quite deep. There's also human waste around the ground which is not great and random black bags with rubbish and more waste in them.
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"Also the pitch covers have been ripped. We're quite lucky really that they have left - we were in the process of serving an eviction but they'd already gone.
"Now really it is about trying to get ready for Saturday and examining the full extent of the damage. Things like the covers and all the little things will cost thousands of pounds [to fix or replace]."
The cricket club is waiting on its groundman's assessment to see if they can play on the ground this Saturday, ahead of the new season. Mr Shafique, who works as a solicitor, added: "The residents really feel like they have been disrespected, they're not happy at all.
"They rallied around and have come to help us, they've been so supportive and we can't thank them enough. Some people have even taken days off to help and we really appreciate it."
More than £500 has been raised by local residents to fund the required repairs. A statement in the fundraiser, started by a Lisa Hayes, said: "There has been significant damage to the Carrington Cricket pitch and we are fundraising to help them repair it as quickly as possible. We all appreciate what they offer the community and would like that to continue."
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