by Ryan Fletcher

PREMIER League club Hull City has cruelly evicted community sports groups from a council-owned arena in order to install a synthetic pitch.

The surprise move, done to allow the club to comply with Premier League youth development rules, has left the numerous other sports clubs that use the Airco Arena distraught and facing closure.

Hull City Council, which leases the premises to Hull on the condition that it is available for community use, has made it clear to the club that it is breaking contractual agreements.

In a letter sent to Hull vice-chair Ehab Allam, Hull Council chief executive Darryl Stephenson objected to the move, stating that “the club does not have the right to exclusive use of the facility at all times and would break the existing agreement between the council and the Stadium Management Company.”

Last Friday, Hull told the community sports groups that to use the arena — including gymnastics, trampolining, roller derby and netball teams — that an alternative location had been found for the pitch.

But on Monday, workmen arrived at the arena and installed the astro-turf anyway, leaving the groups shocked and angry.

Hull High Fliers trampolining club have been using the facility since 2003. The club was granted centre of excellence status 12 years ago because the arena has the height and space for the trampolines to be used at their full capacity.

High Fliers head coach Julie Williams said: “We’ve gone back to square one. It’s devastating. The Airco is the only facility in Hull where our elite team can train. We also work with the West Hull Gym Club to run an afternoon for toddlers using their equipment and ours — now that’s closed as well.”

Williams says the number of people affected by the takeover of the arena runs into the thousands and it is predominantly sports popular with women that have borne the brunt.

Hull said they would help teams who used the arena to relocate.