A football coach ordered to stop running classes for disadvantaged children in a park because he had not filled out any forms has vowed to carry on anyway.

Matt Waters has been running a community football coaching group aimed at youngsters since 2019.

The 47-year-old works under the name Medway Soccer Academy and holds two-hour-long classes at Hilly Fields in Gillingham every Saturday, for children aged between five and 15.

However, the group missed its first training session since lockdown on March 30 after he was sent a “cease and desist” letter from Medway Council.

The email requested he stop operations immediately as he was using an area of the park without gaining the correct permission.

But Mr Waters claims this letter was the first he had heard about it and says he was not aware there were forms he needed to fill out to use that part of the park.

Despite these warnings, the ambulance driver has vowed to carry on running his academy, which was set up to help children in the area from disadvantaged backgrounds access sports while also developing their confidence and social skills.

Mr Waters told KentOnline: “I am proud of what I am doing here because it is the community feel of it and now, with this cease and desist letter, it feels like I have been kicked in the teeth.

“It’s not just me I feel all of us the kids are being punished over this.

“I love teaching football and I wished I love teaching the kids.

“We do awards like player of the session or a trophy for player of the month and to see their faces light up is amazing.

The group currently has more than 150 children signed up with a weekly attendance of around 50 and charges £4 per session - a token payment voluntarily made by parents with all money invested in kit for the club and all coaches being volunteers.

Caroline Connell brings her eight-year-old son Mason along to sessions and believes they are a lifeline.

She explained: “He likes playing football. When he first started three years ago he learnt key skills like teamwork and confidence.

“Now the coaches tell me there is a good chance he could be scouted if someone was to watch him play.

“It helps me as well. I work night shifts and sometimes Mason can’t make it so knowing you pay per session is better for me and for those who perhaps can’t afford it every time Matt doesn’t chase up payments it is all voluntary.

For her the loss of the academy could spell the end of her son playing football regularly.

“It’s not a great area and there are few opportunities for children to do anything,” she added.

“Taking things away makes it so kids with a better background get more opportunities which could leave a lot of talent unnoticed.

“Also with fewer things for children to do the higher chance they have of being groomed and joining gangs.”

As well as playing football on the section of Hilly Fields, Matt says the group also looks after the section of the park, filling fox holes, clearing dog mess, and reseeding grass after use.

The council’s email dated March 29 asked him to stop all actions until an application for hire of a green space site was filled in and approved.

In it, the club must fill out a checklist relating to safety, safeguarding, and emergency contacts.

It also states there is a charge per use – the fee dependent on the size of the group and activity.

For MSA this charge will sit at around £61.50 but was flagged to change from April 1.

However, many associated with the group believe this is a cash grab.

Fellow parent and coach of the academy, Ian Rudland said: “It almost feels like an easy target for the council to get money.

“We all know why they are focused on the money, it's a shambles in the council and they are trying to find every penny they can.

“I have not seen as many parking tickets as I have recently in town and so it seems they are trying to find every penny they can.

“They bring out their manifesto being all for kid’s fitness but why would they want to stop us.

“There's no thought in the children for this that’s what’s upsetting to me for the council it’s all about the pound sign.”

However, Medway Council disputed these claims, instead stating it was ensuring all processes and permissions were in order.

A spokesperson for the local authority said: “We are fully committed to supporting grassroots sports and ensuring children across Medway have access to opportunities.

“We have granted permission for dozens of groups and clubs to use council-owned land over the years.

“Any organisation or club wishing to make use of council-owned land is required to seek permission in advance and this includes providing the relevant documents such as insurance and risk assessments – as per the FA’s guidance to help protect those who are part of a football community, and as part of safeguarding.

“The areas used for football are specially designated, and once a team is registered they are allocated a designated ground to use.

“Once this permission has been applied for by Medway Soccer Academy, then we hope that approval can be given and this valued community organisation can continue to provide their regular activities.”