A football club has been forced to spend thousands of pounds to block the pitch off from travellers – instead of spending the money on a new clubhouse.

Everett Rovers FC, in Dodd Road, made the drastic decision after becoming fed up of the way groups of people constantly set up camp on their field.

Although it means they will not be able to afford the clubhouse they had been raising money for and desperately need, the committee say it will be worth it.

Vice chairman Dave Preedy said: “We were hoping to have a new clubhouse for the next season, but we can’t afford to have the travellers back and to ruin it.

“When they came down in June, it was somewhat lucky because they arrived out of season – but if it happened now, then it would be a disaster.”

The metre tall earthwork around their pitch, to deter travellers, cost £3,500 – the same amount the clubhouse would have cost.

It is steep enough to stop heavy vehicles such as caravans from getting through.

Mr Preedy says the club has been a victim of the travellers five times in the last three years and out of desperation decided to pay for the mound.

He added: “We’re so grateful to the people who have been giving us money for the clubhouse.

"We were hoping that we could have it completed by November - but this has happened to us five times in the last three years, and we need to take measures to protect the pitch.

“It was lucky it was out of club season, it would have been a disaster.”

On June 13, a group of travellers trespassed onto the club’s pitch, broke open the metal barriers and removed the pitch’s concrete bollards to gain entry.

The following month, Watford Borough Council and the police met to discuss a way to keep the travellers out.

Labour Councillor for North Watford, Asif Khan, says he will donate £1,500 to the football club to help compensate it, while Watford Borough Council has also announced a £1,000 grant.

Watford Mayor Peter Taylor said: “We do not tolerate illegal traveller incursions on our open spaces.

“We have worked closely with the football club, police and councillors to improve the security of this site.

“We are also working with the football club to improve to rebuild their changing facilities and their clubhouse.

“Everett Rovers are a fantastic community club and a big part of our town. I want to support them in any way I can.”

House building company, Taylor Wimpey, own the land the club operates on.

The FTSE 100 Company said that they offered materials for the mound, but it was declined and have instead provided an unspecified amount of money to the club to compensate them.

A spokesperson said: “We have offered to provide the material to form the bund that will be built on the land that we own.

“This offer was declined, but we have made a financial contribution towards its cost.”