Hoards of gypsies have taken over a Bradford sports ground, leaving football and cricket matches in jeopardy.

The travellers arrived at the playing fields next to the Sedbergh Youth Club on Huddersfield Road near Odsal Top just before 5pm yesterday.

Around 60 to 70 vans and caravans drove into the Bradford Council-owned site through a gateway after the gates were removed, sparking a flood of phone calls to police.

Some residents even demanded action in person at nearby Odsal police station's front desk and one officer was deployed to the Bradford Council-owned ground to talk to the gypsies.

The youth club's manager Arnold Butterfield was alerted to the travellers' arrival by one of the club's football team managers.

Mr Butterfield said: "The police have told us that we might have to put up with the gypsies for 14 days.

"We have already seen them urinating against walls and throwing bags of God-knows-what into the bushes at the side of the pitches.

"I'm not saying they will cause trouble but we were supposed to have a five-a-side football tournament here tomorrow and a cricket match scheduled for today. Both have been cancelled.

"A school rugby league side from the Rhonda Valley were supposed to stay in the club tonight but I've been trying to get some alternative accommodation for them.

"Some of the gypsy lads are driving their Ford Transit vans all over the grass including the cricket crease. It's just ruining it for the youngsters."

When a Telegraph & Argus reporter went on to the site Ford Escort vans were being driven by youngsters who showed off their skills by doing hand-brake turns on the turf.

One middle-aged man, who declined to be named, said the group meant "nobody any harm" and said they had no-where else to go.

It is believed the gypsies travelled from the former Transperience site at Low Moor.

Acting Sergeant Graham Sowden, of Bradford South police, said they were monitoring the situation and would liaise with the Council.

Bradford Council's principal area manager Chris Witham said the earliest officers could apply to Bradford Civil Court for an order to remove the gypsies was Monday.

He added: "We can't do much before then."

Sedbergh Youth Club was set up in 1906 by a Cumbrian school of the same name and its club house was built in 1962.

It rents the grounds from the Council's education department.

Football secretary Steve Lupton said the club had eight junior football teams, two mens' sides, cricket and rugby league teams and even the Sedbergh Crusaders baseball team.

He said: "The football season is only a month off but the damage they could create could stop our teams playing next year."