CARAVANS pitched up in a football club car park have vacated the site after causing temporary problems at the ground.

Up to seven touring caravans were stationed at Victoria Park – the home of Hartlepool United – after arriving on Wednesday morning ahead of the ground being opened to staff and visitors.

Members of the travelling community had set up their mobile homes in the car park before enforcement officers from Hartlepool Borough Council were called to the site.

It is understood that the impromptu pitch was cleared late on Wednesday night following negotiations between the authority and the unexpected visitors to the home of Pools.

A Hartlepool Borough Council spokesman said: “The council had discussions with the travellers and the club and they were moved swiftly.

“As a local authority we have certain responsibilities when travellers descend on the town and we liaise with them.”

Pools supporters expressed their disappointment at the club’s shop being closed “due to unforeseen circumstances” for the majority of Wednesday following the arrival of the travelling group.

Philip Wanley, a Pools supporter who works in offices close to the Victoria Park site, off Clarence Road, said: “I walked past on my way to the Morrisons for my dinner at around noon.

“As you can see from the photo, it was pretty full with caravans – easily six or seven of them.

“There were two police officers present too, assuming [they were] trying to negotiate them to get off the land.

“I went past again at around 12.30pm and one of the travellers was on the phone, wearing a Manchester United shirt of all kits.”

Each caravan took up around four car parking spaces inside the lot and gas, electric and water supplies were set up around each mobile home.

Concerns had also been raised ahead of the club kicking off their National League campaign with the first match of Pools’ season being hosted at Victoria Park on Saturday afternoon.

However, the caravans were cleared from the area less than 24 hours after entering the Hartlepool United FC car park with the club stating that the “relevant authorities” worked together for a peaceful resolution.