Great Yarmouth Town Football club youth team and a county councillor have called for calm after travellers moved onto a playing field in Yarmouth on Sunday, with more arriving last night.
Lee Hackleton, committee members and under-11s manager at GYTFC youth said: 'We all know the situation at GYTFC youth set up/senior training area is not great. It's a difficult time and we as a club thank everyone who is showing their support whether it is through the donation page for buying new goals or generally wishing us all the best in getting a resolve to the matter.
'The council, police and other authorities have been great. We as a club abide by the law and are happy that the wheels are in motion to resolve the situation.
'Great Yarmouth High School who we rent the ground from are also working hard to get this resolved and we truly thank them for this.
'A lot of local residents have also been affected too and just like us they are staying strong and pulling together with each other.
'There's a lot going around social media at the minute. It's clearly obvious that people are angry which is understandable but there are several racist comments on certain sites aimed at the travelling community. Thankfully it's not connected with this great football club it's on other social media pages and we do not condone any racist or abusive comments.
'We want to distance the club away from these racist remarks.
'We as a club do not condone any racist remarks towards the travelling community, hopefully this matter will be resolved soon.'
Jonathon Childs, UKIP councillor for East Flegg, added: 'I am calling for people to behave and we will not tolerate racist comments to members of the travelling community.
'I understand the frustration of the locals, and call upon the travellers to respect the settled community's wishes. No one wants any arguments and the County Council will uphold the law and eviction will take place.
'What is needed is a solid solution to these illegal encampments and further traveller pitches must be found, the days of pulling up where you like can't be tolerated, but neither can racist remarks to the caravan dwellers, it's all about finding a balance.
'There is an old saying 'right is right and wrong is no man's right', this applies to both sides in this affair.'
The comments come after there was a strong reaction to the presence on the travellers - who arrived on Barnard Bridge playing field on Sunday afternoon on social media.
The field is owned by Great Yarmouth High School and is also used by Great Yarmouth Town Football Club youth teams.
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