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£2k ‘blackmail’ as travellers invade Irlam FC car park


Travellers forced their way into Irlam FC’s car park and told club officials they would only move if they were paid off to the tune of £2,000.

A convoy of 13 caravans arrived at Silver Street at around 4.30pm on Sunday 14 February.

Local police started to receive multiple calls about the incident from around 6.10pm on Sunday.

Irlam FC Club Secretary Warren Dodd claims the travellers demanded a payment of £2,000 to leave straight away, otherwise they would leave at their leisure tonight.

Mr Dodd told SalfordOnline.com that the caravans had arrived after a children’s birthday party at the clubhouse, and believed the travellers had planned to enter the car park earlier that day, damaging a padlock on the gate to gain entry.

“When we tried to lock the gate we noticed that the lock had been cut so we couldn’t close the gate properly,” he said.

“Within 15 minutes of leaving the ground a convoy of caravans made their way up Silver Street and entered the car park.”

The club is working closely with the Neighbourhood Watch in the area who are asking police to enforce a section 61 order which would force the travellers to leave the site.

Warren added: “We are trying to negotiate with the police for unauthorised encampment and haven’t paid the £2,000. We have never had anything like this before.”

A spokesperson from Greater Manchester Police told SalfordOnline.com: “They have gone on to the site and there are roughly 13 caravans and a similar number of cars.

“They have made an agreement with the landowner that they will be leaving tonight.”

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A third year BA Journalism student at Salford University. Special interests: Music and Sport. Follow me on twitter @charlotte041994