A campaign group battling to bring Hatfield Town Football Club home with a new stadium has expressed its disappointment at a lack of response from the town council.

The Hatfield Football Community Group is opposing plans for a new full size 3G football pitch at Birchwood, instead calling for a new football stadium to be built, one which would allow Hatfield Town to return home and provide much-needed facilities for other clubs.

Despite writing to the leader of Hatfield Town Council, Cllr Larry Crofton, to discuss their concerns, the group were "disappointed to not receive a response".

"We have contacted the leader of the council and all the controlling Labour councillors seeking a meeting to discuss our concerns, but only one councillor agreed to meet with us and we have had no response from other Labour councillors to our request," said a spokesperson for the Hatfield Football Community Group.

"The leader of the council refused our invite to discuss the decision, telling us the decision has been made it is not up for discussion.

"These are our elected local representatives but they are not prepared to meet with us or take our views on board but, instead, listen to the Herts FA, whose advice has not addressed the lack of appropriate football ground facilities required here.

"They are not contributing any funds or maintenance support either, but Hatfield’s residents are.

READ MORE: Hatfield campaigners call for football stadium support

"The campaign group includes managers, coaches and supporters of Hatfield’s three senior clubs, plus the majority of junior clubs in the town. None of them have been properly consulted.

"They are all concerned about the town council’s decision to spend the funding available on a plastic 3G pitch, which will only become a pay and play facility like all the other local ones.

"The Section 106 funding was to replace the lost facilities at Angerland Common playing fields, not for another 3G pitch for which there is no demand."

A new stadium would be an historic moment for Hatfield Town FC, which has not played on their own ground in the town for nearly 40 years.

In 1984, the club folded due to lack of finances and a committee to run the team, before reforming in 1989.

Hatfield Town has previously played games at Birchwood, but have been forced out of the town in recent years, playing at nearby grounds in Welwyn Garden City and Hertford.

The Welwyn Hatfield Times reached out to Hatfield Town Council, who refused to provide comment.

For more information on the Birchwood plans, visit www.hatfield-herts.gov.uk/birchwood-sports-project-frequently-asked-questions/.