“They’re not here to play cricket, they’re not here to watch cricket, they’re just here to disrupt”
16:30, 22 Jun 2025Updated 16:46, 22 Jun 2025
A crowd of youths gathered at Maghull Cricket Club to engage in “organised fighting”(Image: Maghull Cricket Club)
A Merseyside cricket club has been plagued with violent clashes and antisocial behaviour as members step up efforts to protect themselves and children who use the grounds. The ECHO has reported extensively on the issues that have faced Maghull Cricket Club in recent months, from vicious fights to fires being lit.
We visited the cricket club this week, with club secretary Neil Dutton explaining how things have improved since the criminality peaked at the beginning of last month. Children were captured on camera armed as they prepared to “engage in organised fighting” while around 50 children, aged between nine and 13, were escorted from the pitch, with some in tears as they left the pitch.
One mum who witnessed the incident wrote on Facebook at the time: “I was there this evening with my eight and 10 year old. It was truly terrifying. I would like to just say a massive thank you to the adults, especially the men/fathers, involved with the club who quickly stepped in ushering the children to safety and stepping in bravely to defend them if needed. You didn’t hesitate to take action and it didn’t go unnoticed.”
‘They’ve become a lot bolder’
Speaking to the ECHO, Neil, who re-joined the club following the Covid-19 pandemic, said: “It’s been really frustrating, especially over a number of years, especially because it just seemed that we were being targeted, because of how open and accessible the field is, obviously there’s multiple routes on and off.
“You’ve got the normal way to come in through the car park. There’s the canal, there’s multiple ways in off the canal. And it just seems that our ‘friends’ just see it as an easy area for them to come. They’ve become a lot bolder. A few years ago, when we had issues, if we rang with the police that would scare them off.”
Neil Dutton, club secretary of Maghull Cricket Club
He added: “It’s frustrating and It’s been scary at times because it’s a large group. When they organised the fight, the group that gathered was the largest I’ve seen here. We’ve had 20-30 kids here as well. They’re not here to play cricket, they’re not here to watch cricket, they’re just here to disrupt.”
44-year-old Neil said the plan is introduce a fence around the cricket pitch, joining the fence that surrounds Maghull Football Club across the field in a bid to deter antisocial behaviour and protect the members. However, funding is needed as well as approval from the town council who own the land.
Previous incidents ‘totally unacceptable’
The cricket club has been plagued with the antisocial behaviour for years, Neil told the ECHO, with a dispersal zone being introduced in the area on Monday, June 16, as a precaution for what the ECHO understands was the last day of exams for one local school.
The ECHO also previously reported on youths setting fireworks off at the club and setting bins on fire in November last year, causing damage to the practice area and turf.
In CCTV shared by the club, four people could be seen setting off fireworks in the area before running away while the fireworks go off.
Neil told the ECHO how incidents continued into this year before the large group congregated on May 2 and Merseyside Police “detained a number of youths”.
Chief Inspector Sean Harrison said at the time: “We are appalled by this type of behaviour, which is totally unacceptable and we understand the impact it has on the community.
“When the incident was reported to us, officers attended and carried out an immediate search of the area. A number of youths were detained and no weapons were found in their possession. They were then taken home to their parents by officers.”
Local MP working to ‘protect this community asset’
Sefton Central MP Bill Esterson told the ECHO he is working with the club and other stakeholders to ensure the club is protected from criminality. He said: “The cricket club is of huge importance to our community here in Maghull. Since the ugly scenes of a few weeks ago, police have worked closely with councillors, the club and my office to respond to issues.
“The close working relationships led to a dispersal order being introduced last week, focused around the cricket ground. But we need a longer-term solution to secure the ground because the club has to be a safe and welcoming place.
“We held a meeting of the club, councillors and the Police & Crime Commissioner last month, to look at the issues, the security of the cricket ground and potential funding options.
“Fencing and other measures around the ground will mean substantial costs and will require multiple funding sources, probably including sponsorship. It’s vital we protect this community asset, so anyone able to contribute please get in touch with the club or with my office.”
Chloe Parker, leader of the Maghull Town Council, said: “I am pleased to share that the officers of the Town Council have worked hard to reorganise our budgets in order to make a commitment to phase one of the fencing. I am truly thankful for the support from my fellow Sefton ward Councillors, Sefton Council, the PCC and our MP.
Armed teenagers face off against each other following a mass gathering at Maghull Cricket Club(Image: Maghull Cricket Club)
“Maghull Cricket Club is a vibrant community resource and deserves our full support to ensure the children and families can focus on the excellent cricket.”
This week, Sefton’s Neighbourhood Inspector Kenneth Sumner said as police introduced the dispersal zone: “We have received reports of groups of young people gathering in areas of Maghull. Many have stayed out of trouble socialising with their friends, but some have been involved in anti-social behaviour.
“This issue is a top priority for our team and we are working closely alongside businesses, the council and other partners to ensure that appropriate plans are in place. Officers will be continuing to provide a visible police presence in areas of Maghull.
“We regularly engage with the public and businesses to provide reassurance, advice on crime prevention, and supporting them in reviewing CCTV to identify suspects and support prosecutions.”
Inspector Sumner continued: “We will not tolerate groups intimidating, threatening and frightening people visiting, living and working in the Maghull area, or anywhere across Merseyside. The aim, as always, is to keep the public safe and free from the fear that can be caused by such behaviour.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to ask parents and carers to make sure that they know where their children are, and what they are doing. If they are spending hours away from home in the evenings and weekends, be aware of their movements, both for their own safety and the safety of others. The vast majority of young people are well-behaved, but the parents and carers of those who cause issues can expect a knock on the door from officers, and for further action to be taken.”