TRAVELLERS who have been camped on the Sandy Lane football pitches in Blackbird Leys have left the site, leaving council staff rushing to clean up ahead of weekend fixtures.

Caravans that occupied Sandy Lane all week left on Thursday night after police and council staff moved in to evict them.

The same vehicles were seen on the Margaret Road pitches in Headington Quarry, home of Quarry Rovers Football Club, on Friday but it is now understood that they have moved on from this site as well. 

Council staff are working to clear up the Sandy Lane pitches so that teams can play the opening games of the season this weekend. 

The second pitch on the site is clear and available to use.

Glass bottles have been ground into the soil on the first pitch and it is not currently fit to play on.

Games scheduled to be played on this pitch at the weekend have had to be recolcated whilst the council undertakes further work.

Tom Jennings, a spokesperson for Oxford City Council said: "We are working to ensure there is no disruption to the weekend’s football matches.

“We would like to thank Thames Valley Police for its continued support on these matters.

“Both recreation grounds are normally locked to restrict unauthorised access. The locks to both recreation grounds have been cut open.”