West Ham: Grassroots club faces eviction over Premier League club's plans

Bealonians FC has used the Oakfield Playing Fields for nearly 20 years

An east London council could evict a grassroots football club from its playing fields to make way for West Ham United's new training grounds.

Bealonians FC has played at Oakfield Playing Fields in Fairlop since 2004.

However, next week Redbridge Council's cabinet is likely to approve a long-term lease for the site to be signed over to West Ham.

A council report said the Premier League club had put in a "strong bid" for use of the site.

The 19-acre (7.7-hectare) playing fields also include the Jack Carter Pavilion, which Bealonians currently use.

'Huge blow'

West Ham's bid includes the promise of a regular revenue stream alongside "investment and employment opportunities", artificial pitches and adapting the current pavilion, the report said.

Bealonians' chairman Terry Barlow said: "It's a huge blow that Redbridge appear to be following the money and has lost sight of the sustainable, long-term value we bring to the borough, especially as West Ham United already has another site just down the road.

"We're the oldest and largest grassroots football club in the borough and the potential loss of our club will have a devastating impact on the local community."

The club said it was not aware of any other site large enough to serve its membership of more than 600 players in 29 youth teams and 10 adult teams, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) reports.

Bealonians FC players make use of the Jack Carter Pavilion

More than 5,000 people have now signed an online petition urging the council to keep Bealonians FC at the site.

According to the council's report, West Ham has offered a long lease with annual rent and regular rent reviews in exchange for support in installing two "state of the art" artificial pitches and adapting the pavilion.

Moving from the club's current training ground in Little Heath would also free up that land for "potential housing development", adding to more than 1,300 homes planned on a neighbouring site that the council has strongly supported.

A council committee is set to discuss the issue on Thursday, with a final decision made by the cabinet on 19 October.

Redbridge Council has been contacted for comment.

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