The football club where Steven Gerrard started his career has called out the "disgraceful" actions of off-road bike riders who destroyed their pitches.
Whiston Juniors FC posted that a man and a woman riding a quad bike and a small motorbike had driven across the community football pitches on Friday, March 10. The club said a "very young child" was also perched on the knee of the quad bike rider.
The club posted several photos showing the extensive damage, with tyre marks clearly visible where the riders had repeatedly driven in circles on the grass, churning up the surface of the pitch. The club told the ECHO several training sessions and matches had to be cancelled over the weekend due to the "disgraceful" damage on the council-owned pitches.
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Karl Phillips, groundskeeper at Whiston Juniors FC, said the club had recently spent £800 of its own money, raised through fundraising, to have work done on the grounds. He added several of the pitches were badly damaged and the club had to pay for its junior teams to train at a separate venue.
Karl told the ECHO: "We were told about it by some local residents who alerted the committee that the people were riding on the pitches on Friday afternoon. For this to happen, it's all just money poured down the drain.
"It affected the club's ability to put on training and matches. Lots of children missed out over the weekend because of it. The club is a big part of the community here so this has affected a lot of people."
The club has produced several professional players including Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard. Karl added: "Local people know how important this club is in the area. It's well known and respected across Merseyside."
The groundskeeper added: "The actions of the people on Friday afternoon were selfish. As a club we ask local people to look after the pitches. They're public pitches so anyone can go on them but we ask they respect them.
"It's the highlight of the children's week coming and playing football so to take that away from them is a real shame. They're the ones who have missed out because of the disgraceful damage."
A Knowsley Council spokesperson said: "We are appalled at the damage caused. The pitches are used and enjoyed by the local community but a small minority appear to be happy to damage them, which is completely unacceptable.
"We are working with Merseyside Police to identify those responsible and have also visited the site to assess the damage. We will carry out repair works as quickly as possible so that the pitches can once again be used and enjoyed by the community."
Merseyside Police was also approached for comment.
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