CONTROVERSIAL council budget proposals to axe football pitches in Southampton have been greeted with dismay and anger by players and club officials.

The drastic cutbacks - part of the city finance chiefs draft budget plans for next year - would see hundreds of footballers deprived of four football pitches in Green Park in Millbrook.

They could be closed in a cost-cutting measure that could also see three cricket pitches closed and would save council coffers around £31,000.

The cutbacks are part of a dramatic package of proposals which would see council services slashed and city residents hit with an inflation busting council tax rise of five per cent next year.

Jobs face axe In a bid to plug a £5.8m gap in the city's budget up to 96 full time council workers posts would be axed and service charges would also be increased.

Jacqueline Day, the treasurer for AFC Aldermoor in Southampton's Junior League branded the proposed closure of the football pitches "disgusting."

She said: "We used to play at Mansel Park. We have lost that. If we lost Green Park, football would be non-existent. They want the kids to have exercise. The Tyro Leaque play here. Where are they going to play?

"We will have to go to Totton. Football will be non-existent in Southampton."

Richard Bauck, chairman and senior team manager for Hedge End Rangers added: "I am very disappointed. Everybody is hunting for football pitches to play on.

"To lose another four will impose a huge strain on the local leagues. It will affect thousands. Just on one Saturday afternoon, there are three clubs playing here.

"I strongly urge the council to change their minds."

Among other service cut options being considered is a plan to save £55,000 a year by closing the council's prestigious Museum of Archaeology located in the historic God's House Tower.

Museum charges Leisure bosses are also proposing charging visitors a £3 admission fee to the city's Maritime Museum on Town Quay which houses important relics from the tragic liner Titanic.

The charges would net city coffers £75,000 a year.

Further cutbacks could also take place in the city's street cleaning service. Four dedicated city centre cleaning staff could be axed saving £106,000.

A further three cleaning staff who keep district centres such as Shirley clean could also be axed saving £60,000. City libraries are also in the firing line with some being permanently closed and others shut down during off peak periods.

Inflation busting increases in off street parking charges could also be imposed with a 2.75 per cent rise equating to an additional £141,000 in the coffers