Travellers who set up on the grounds of a rugby club for five days have cost the club £1,000, according to the president.

A total of nine caravans took up residence at Wanstead Rugby Club, in Roding Lane North, Woodford Green last Thursday before moving on at around midday yesterday.

President Martin Curry bemoaned the damage and mess the group left in its wake.

He said: “Damage has been left at the club, the travellers cut the chainlink fence to gain entry and cut a lock off the gate on the perimeter of the fields.

“It will cost us around £1,000 in the end overall, including the cost of hiring a security guard for three days.

“This is a big sum for a small club, while it won’t bankrupt us, it is money that should be spent on young rugby players.

“There were only a few bits of rubbish and it could have been a lot worse.

“But half a dozen members of the club spent their own time dealing with the issue and cleaning up yesterday.

“Luckily they were not staying on the actual pitches so all the rugby games proceeded as normal at the weekend and there was no damage to the pitches.”

After being notified of the travellers last week, Redbridge council issued an enforcement order demanding they leave by 2pm on Sunday. 

When they failed to leave Redbridge police advised that they would take action to force them to move. 

The first part of the group left on Sunday night, and the remaining caravans left around noon yesterday without incident.

In response to the news, Redbridge Conservative leader and Bridge ward councillor Paul Canal called for more powers for the council and land owners in evicting travellers.