WE HAVE every sympathy for Eynsham’s young footballers in their fight against dog dirt being left on their pitch.

The need for them and their coaches and parents to troop out on to the field and check it for faeces left behind by people’s pets before the teams dare to kick a ball is a disgrace.

And the incident where a boy who just wanted to play his favourite sport got smeared with dog dirt that had not been spotted is disgusting.

The Oxford Road Playing Fields are a facility provided for all to enjoy and the lazy minority of owners who cannot be bothered to clean up after their pets should be ashamed.

They need to start behaving responsibly and heed the advice on the notices posted at the entrance to the playing fields – bag it, tie it, bin it – not leave the job to young footballers.

There is no excuse when there are 500 dog waste bins available across the district.

If you know who is to blame for the problems plaguing Eynsham’s football pitches – and dog fouling elsewhere in the area – we would urge you to pass the details to West Oxfordshire District Council, so it can take action.