Askern Villa are one of a number of Baris Northern Counties East League clubs to be hit by a council move to stop maintaining Miners' Welfare sports grounds for free.

The decision was made by the cabinet at Doncaster Council after the arrangement, thought to date back thirty years, was brought to light in a review to cut costs.

Mayor Peter Davies said at the meeting: "Fourteen cricket and football grounds across the borough currently receive free ground maintenance when others have to pay."

Council maintenance is due to cease next April for fields that include those used by Askern, Armthorpe Welfare and Rossington Main.

Villa secretary Dave Hall said: "The council are contracted to cut our pitch thirteen times a year and occasionally mark the pitch.

"But, what the mayor neglected to mention is that the council also claimed the welfare's machinery when they took over the grounds.

"So, it will be interesting to see if they are going to replace the machinery."