A man who claimed he was just ‘kicking ball’ with his children and their friends in a park has been running a commercial venture, the Sutton Guardian can report.

Our newspaper reported how football coach Darren Chapman, 42, from Carshalton, said he felt harassed by Reigate and Banstead Council after he was told he should not train children at Woodmansterne Recreation Ground.

But although Mr Chapman had previously claimed he was just “having a kick around with the children,” he admitted today he receives money for it.

He said: “They pay me for a package, not for the coaching sessions.

“I also go along to their football games on Saturdays and Sundays to see how they’re progressing, so I call it a consultation fee."

But a parent of children coached by Mr Chapman said: “He charges £7 per session to coach the children. I know because I paid him myself.”

Under pressure from the council and the Woodmansterne Sports Club, Mr Chapman announced that he will be quitting the grounds in three weeks and looking for somewhere else to train.

Mr Chapman was warned by the council several times that he needed a CRB check, something he says he has, and insurance and told he must liaise with the keepers of the land, Woodmansterne Sports Club, to use the site for organised sports.

Phil Wells, chairman of Woodmansterne Sports Club, said: “When people come in to do a kick about and play with their children everyone is welcome.

"But he brings 30 kids a night, four nights a week and it’s wrecking our grounds that we work so hard to keep.

“We do believe he is running a business and using the grounds that our members pay to maintain without permission.”

The recreation ground’s land was leased to Woodmansterne Sports Club 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.”