A League One footballer hit out at Oxford City Council on social media for not cutting the grass at local parks.

Wycombe Wanderers player Garath McCleary, who was born and grew up in Oxford, questioned the council why grass at a park in Blackbird Leys had not been cut.

Tweeting the council, he said “I’m just wondering does no mow may include June?” to which the council responded by saying “in order to support biodiversity, we are mowing all grass verges in the city once a year”.

READ MORE: Oxford-born footballer backs calls to keep local parks properly maintained

McCleary responded by saying: “Once a year. It’s not just the verges it’s parks in the estate I grew up maybe you haven’t been there?

“The grass is literally past my knees, where are the kids supposed to have a ‘local’ kick about?”

The Oxford Mail has since spoken to McCleary about the issue and launched a campaign after local clubs have been forced to cancel training sessions.

Oxford Blackbirds FC, based in Blackbird Leys, who play on council-owned ground said the grass was too long in May and June for sessions to go ahead.

After seeing McCleary's Twitter exchange, the Oxford Blackbird U12 girls team revealed the difficulty they have in putting on training sessions due to the grass not being cut as frequently.

ALSO READ: Young footballers unable to play due to 'no mow' campaign

They posted: “Even Garath McCleary understands how hard it is for us to train, yet the council don’t care again.  

“Oxford City Council please can you cut the grass to allow us to meet with our friends, have a kick about without having to fork out money for a 3G.”

McCleary added: “By the way I don’t benefit from this it’s for the children, the community enjoying the summer how I remembered.

“Estates like Blackbird Leys are so easily forgotten.”

The footballer went on to share a number of tweets about the issues.

One said: "Why is it taking pleading and awareness from a local legend and a local football girls football team to get

"Oxford City Council or ODS to cut the grass. Oxford Blackbirds are already being left behind with amenities and now it’s park grass cutting.”

Another added: “If you’re only cutting them once a year surely that’ll mean a reduction in council tax?”

Oxford City Council was contacted for comment in relation to the claims made to this newspaper.

They have maintained that the grass in Blackbird Leys was cut once a month in May and June. 

A council spokesperson said: "The grass in Blackbird Leys Park is cut once a month between April and October and we can confirm this was done in May and June.

"The football season ended in May and the football pitches stop getting mowed and marked out, as happens every year, as part of renovation work.

"The pitches will again be mowed and marked out for the start of the new football season."