MEDWAY council have been branded a disgrace by a senior official of Kent’s biggest Sunday Football League.

In his penultimate report before retiring, Colin Boswell, secretary of the Medway Today Sunday League, delivers a stinging rebuke to the council over the deteriorating facilities junior footballers in the Medway area must endure. He alleges: “The council have few officers who have any knowledge of our problems, or even care.

“For instance it is nearly two years since the Football Foundation came into being and yet we have no dressing room accommodation at Garrison 3a where visiting supporters have to wait for the pub to open before they can use a toilet.

“We have had a pavilion burnt down at Cliffe and you should ask your local councillor how many applications have been made for a grant to rebuild these facilities.

“Yet they have had the cheek to put the prices of pitches up again. Have you seen the facilities on any of the grounds improve? If you have, let me know.

“As I said in my annual report last year, Medway Council, you are a disgrace."

But Mr Boswell praises two council officers, Colin Slucock and Maurice Mannington. “These are two dedicated officers of the council who do try to give every assistance,” he said.

The league have claimed victory in the battle with Gillingham FC for the right to use Beechings Cross playing fields.

“We have received an assurance from the Leader of Medway Council that the ground will remain open for local footballers,” Mr Boswell adds.

A Medway Council spokesperson said: “The Council is always keen to work with sporting organisations to ensure the best facilities are provided for all those who use them.

"We are aware of Mr Boswell's concerns and would look to work with him and the league to reach a conclusion that is happy for everyone.”

The report will be formally adopted at Sunday’s annual meeting at the Brook Theatre, Old Town Hall, Chatham.