Hucknall Sports' football clubs will no longer play their matches on the pitches at Papplewick Green it has been announced.

The organisation has used the playing fields for the last 44 years but will now relocate following Ashfield District Council's decision to allow Sports Gateway to manage the land.

In a statement, Hucknall Sports FC Chairman Alan Spray said: "Having lost the opportunity to do so in 1995 when we first tried to obtain a secure lease on Wigwam, it has always been our intention to grow along with the local community and create a community hub to be proud of at Papplewick Green.

"However, recent developments have forced us to evaluate our position considering ADC awarding a 12-month management agreement to Sports Gateway without prior consultation to ourselves or others, and we feel we have been forced into an untenable situation due to the complete lack of transparency with the whole project.

"The proposed arrangement from ADC would mean Hucknall Sports having to sublet the pitches at Papplewick Green from Sports Gateway. We feel strongly that entering into such an arrangement puts the Club at risk of potentially damaging our strong reputation built over many years.

"Although the decision has been difficult to come to terms with, we are unanimous in deciding this is the right course of action for our club."

The issue has provoked a strong response from the Hucknall community with a petition to prevent Hucknall Sports being 'evicted' from their home signed by over 6000 people.

Mr Spray added: "We would like to put our thanks on record to the thousands of members of the community that have supported our plight these last two weeks. The response has been beyond remarkable and everyone from the President to the latest soccer school recruit appreciates it greatly and assures them that all our 28 teams will be functioning as normal next season."