EAST Hampshire District Council has apologised after it emerged there will be no indoor adult football provision at Alton Sports Centre – because the hall walls are too fragile.

Footballer Paul Way said this came as a shock to players who were “promised” in 2017 they would be able to continue playing.

However, in October he learned they would have to find another venue for indoor five-a-side as the sound-proof cladding on new walls cannot withstand a football.

A district council spokesman told the Herald: “It was our understanding at that time that indoor football would continue in the centre and we are sorry it is now not possible for this to be delivered.

“However, we have worked with the footballers to find them an alternative indoor site in the town and two brand new 3G five-a-side pitches are available outside the new centre.”

Mr Way went on to accuse Everyone Active and the council of misleading the public by claiming there are “two” five-a-side pitches at the new 3G facility.

The council said it had “configured” the “two five-a-side football pitches” in coordination with the Hampshire FA standard size, which is “37m x 27m”.

However, Mr Way highlighted plans which show the entire 3G enclosure is actually only 33m x 43m.

When asked to clarify the confusion about the size of the pitches, a council spokesman added “the two pitches referred to are smaller 17m x 27m pitches running sideways across the main pitch”.

Everyone Active’s website still states there will be “two five-a-side outdoor 3G football pitches”.

Mr Way criticised the council for its “broken assurances given to long-term customers of the centre” and said it was “folly” that the walls were too fragile to withstand “an indoor football: a soft-surfaced ball designed specifically for sports halls”.

The council said the hall has “acoustic panelling to allow for a more enjoyable playing experience”.