A FOOTBALL club car park used by scores of parents dropping off young children could close unless £20,000 is raised to resurface it.

Canvey Island Football Club, a not-for-profit firm, needs to repair its pothole-ridden car park in Leigh Beck Road, Canvey, which parents use to drop off pupils at Leigh Beck infant and junior schools.

Drivers have complained of damage to their cars, and the club may have to close the car park to protect itself from legal action unless £20,000 can be raised.

Gary Sutton, club director and secretary, said: “We don’t want to close the car park, but we are concerned that if there is any damage or accidents, we could be held responsible. We don’t want that and we won’t close the car park if we can avoid it.

“There are lots of potholes there and they just open up and get bigger and bigger as more traffic passes through.”

Essex County Council refused to give the club £20,000 towards the work, saying it would not benefit the community.

Supporters, players and staff fill the car park, which has about 100 spaces, on match days.

But about 30 to 40 parents a day, as well as visitors to Castle Point Transport Museum, use the car park during the week.

At least 17 youth football teams also use the club’s facilities.

The club plans to apply to the county council’s community initiatives fund again next year, but a grant is more likely if it can match funding with public donations.

Colin Letchford, who has donated £229 from his allowance as independent councillor for Canvey East towards the fund, said: “If it isn’t resurfaced and they stop allowing mums to park there, they would have to park on the road.

“The side roads are already full, so we’d have mums parking on the main road outside the school.

“This car park allows parents to park away from the school and the main road.”

To help with fundraising, call club director Mick O’Brien on 07717 867492.