A football coach was arrested for threatening to hold a protest picnic, after being told he could not use a park to play ball with children.

Darren Chapman, 42, from Carshalton, was arrested last Wednesday (July 1) at the Woodmansterne Recreation Grounds, Banstead, where he plays football with his children and other seven-year-olds. He was held for five hours at a police station before being released without charge.

Mr Chapman said: “I was playing football with the kids and the police came and took me away, leaving a bunch of seven-year-olds unattended.

“We play here twice a week, we kick a ball and practice, but they are trying to make us stop. So we left them a message saying the families and I would have a picnic on the cricket ground in the park. The police said I was threatening to cause criminal damage.”

Mr Chapman was approached by Reigate and Banstead Council in February and asked to stop the activity.

The council also sent him a letter asking for proof of a Criminal Records Bureau check, insurance and a formal request to use the park area for organised training activities.

Mr Chapman said: “All we want to do is have a kickabout with the lads twice a week so they can keep sharp for when their league’s training starts again, and we can’t.”

The recreation ground’s land had been leased by the council to Woodmansterne Sports Club for £400,000 for 25 years and, according to the council, all organised sports should be played at the club’s pitches.

A council spokeswoman said: “Unfortunately although Mr Chapman has been advised of how he can work with the council to obtain the authorised use of the designated areas, to date he has failed to comply with the council’s usual procedure.”

A spokesman for the sports club said: “We believe Mr Chapman is running a commercial venture by coaching youth football on the grounds that the club’s members pay to maintain without permission.”

A police spokesman said their “actions were proportionate throughout the arrest procedure” and subsequent enquiry.

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