Thousands Sign Hull Airco Arena Petition

Thousands of people have got behind a campaign to prevent a number of Hull sports teams being evicted from the Airco Arena.

Hull City football club want to install a new indoor pitch at the venue as they look to improve their academy facilities and have given those that use it o ne month's notice to vacate.

But campaigners say the short notice means it'll leave many sports teams homeless

A petition against the plans was launched just a few days ago and has already gathered more than three thousand signatures, with comedian Johnny Vegas also tweeting his backing to the campaign.

Hull's Angels Roller Derby team is one of those that's affected. Jamie Potter coaches the side and told Viking FM:

"For games, there isn't really anywhere else that big that is affordable. There are places like Hull Arena and the City Hall but you're looking at huge costs to put on events there that we simply can't afford. We're generally having to think about doing this outside of Hull which is disgusting really as we are the Hull's Angels and should be training in Hull.

"There's gymnastics clubs, trampoline clubs, basketball teams that all have their own requirements about space and height restrictions and we can't just easily be moved somewhere else, we use that venue for a reason.

"It's left us quite high and dry really and we are quite upset about it. There was no consultation beforehand, it literally just came out of nowehere. The club has said that they will help to relocate us but we have particular requirements about where we can train so it is not going to be easy to do that.

"We do appreciate what Hull City are doing as they are trying to develop their young stars of the future but we are trying to do the same with children and adults. We are developing that potential but the only difference is we don't have the money and the power that the football club does to convert these venues for our purposes."

Hull City Council, which owns the venue, say they're seeking a meeting with stadium managers to see how the community can still have access to the arena and say they will help provide alternative facilities to those affected.

A spokesperson told us:

“The Council has not yet been consulted upon any proposals, however, it is requesting a meeting of the Community Use Rights Liaison Committee with the Stadium Management Committee to consider how the Stadium Management Company intends to meet its commitment to regular and individual users of the Sports Hall within the Community Use Rights obligations that fall upon the company.

“Hull City Council is working with the affected organisations to try and provide alternative facilities."