A GROUP of sports enthusiasts have decided to take matters into their own hands and campaign for better sports facilities in Bicester.

Representatives from clubs across Bicester are to lobby Cherwell District Council to provide more cash to create a promised top-notch sports village.

The move comes months after some clubs were left disappointed because plans for the £2.8m 17-hectare sports village, at the new housing development Kingsmere, were scaled down, with some facilities shelved for now.

Supporters are rallying all the town’s clubs and organisations to put pressure on the council and help raise cash from their governing bodies, to pay for upgraded facilities.

The idea is to create a multi-use centre at Kingsmere that could be home to the town’s football, rugby, athletics, hockey and tennis clubs. Pitches could be built around a multi-purpose hall and changing facility.

A petition has been launched and organisers hope to collect in the region of 9,000 signatures.

One of the organisers, Alfred Pickett, a former Bicester Town FC player, manager and secretary, said: “Effectively we want to get all the clubs together to create a sporting complex for everyone, from the oldest person in the town to the youngest.

“There’s enough land there for everyone. All the clubs need to go after their own funding.

“It’s a chance for everyone to pull in the same direction. Bicester could get the sports facilities it has never had. We will never get this opportunity again in our lifetime.”

Steve Flynn, chairman of Bicester Athletics Club, said: “Twenty-five to 30 years ago they (the council) were saying there was no land for sports, now all of a sudden they have got land, but no money.

“Kingsmere could provide a home for many clubs in the town and provide an opportunity for other clubs to do things there. But what it requires is the district council to commit to come up with some of the money to start the ball rolling so we can get other investors.

“You have got the Government promoting the Olympics but what we are going to have in 2012 is a field that has been levelled and that will be Bicester’s claim to fame.”

Cherwell’s lead member for environment James Macnamara said the council had committed £1.5m to the site and developer Countryside Properties a further £1.38m He said: “Bicester Town Council is fully engaged in the project alongside CDC and the council intends to seek further funding for the sports village through other developers’ contributions and grant applications to funding bodies.

“Funding from all sources by interested parties will be welcomed and we will be working with clubs to develop funding bids.”