A GRANDAD who hopes to bring football back to one of the town’s playing fields fears that the space could be used for housing instead.

Colin Nicholson, of King George Road, was disappointed that youth teams were moved from playing fields adjacent to Watson Acre at the end of last season, following complaints over match-day parking, to Charlton sports fields.

The transport team manager now fears that some of the site, which currently accommodates a play park and a multi-use games area (MUGA), could be redeveloped if it is no longer being used to host football matches.

Mr Nicholson said: “Councils are building houses on any bit of land they can find nowadays.

“They have already built Watson Acre, which used to be an old foundry, and they have built on the allotments nearby.

“Now that there is no football being played on here I don’t see why they wouldn’t build on this field as well.”

The 65-year-old grandfather would also like to see football make a return to the field and hopes a solution can be found regarding parking at the site.

He said: “I am not a great football fan but I used to love watching the children enjoying themselves out there and quite a few parents used to come out and watch their kids play at the weekend.

“There is plenty of space there so surely they can make a little car park for the parents to park in.

“I really think we should be encouraging kids to be outside and be active and this was a great way to do that.”

The Andover Advertiser spoke to Test Valley Borough Council about the possibility of football returning to the field and a spokesman said: “The open space behind King George Road is not set up for formal football matches and does not have specified pitches or grass management or formal grounds maintenance associated with such pitches.

“It is a designated open space intended for informal play and recreation and also has play equipment and a multi-use games area (MUGA).

“The youth football teams that trained on this space have moved to another location in Andover where suitable facilities are available which can support regular matches.”

The Advertiser also asked whether the site could be used for housing in the future and the spokesman said: “There are no submitted plans to redevelop this field."