Hunmanby Football Club in bid to secure future over eviction notice from playing field

​Hunmanby Football Club, based near Filey, is calling on supporters to help save the club after being told by the council that its permission to use the local playing field will end in January, putting the club’s future in jeopardy.

Almost 700 supporters and residents have signed a petition after Hunmanby Parish Council informed the club that its permission to use Hunmanby Playing Fields would end in four months.

The parish council, which was contacted for comment, is understood to be reassessing the eviction notice, with several councillors working to rescind the motion. An initial meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 9, to further discuss the matter.

Keegan Kennedy, the secretary and treasurer of the Saturday league club which competes in the Right Car East Riding County League, said: “This has come as a significant shock to everyone involved with the club. Since Hunmanby FC was founded in March 2025, close to 100 players have worn the Hunmanby orange, and we now have two teams competing in Divisions 4 and 5 of the East Riding County Football League.

“In addition to our footballing activities, we have also held two successful charity days in support of the Teenage Cancer Ward at Leeds St James Hospital.”

A spokesperson for Hunmanby Parish Council said: “We are aware of the concern this matter has caused locally, and would encourage residents to wait for the full picture before drawing conclusions.

“The council is meeting directly with representatives of Hunmanby FC in the coming days to discuss the situation further.”

In a letter informing the club of the decision last week, the council said: “This decision follows a review by the parish council of how the playing field is being used and managed, and reflects concerns raised about the impact on other long-standing users of the site. It has not been taken lightly, and the Council recognises this will require you to make alternative arrangements, which is why four months’ notice is being given rather than a shorter period.

“We would ask that you use this notice period to identify an alternative venue for your team’s activities.”

However, Mr Keegan said the club had “not yet been provided with specific details of these concerns”.

Cllr Michelled Donohue-Moncrieff, a local parish councillor who also represents Hunmanby on North Yorkshire Council, said: “I now have the agreement of six parish councillors – including the three who attended the meeting on Wednesday – that the minute should be rescinded.

“This would allow Hunmanby Parish Council to look at this issue again. A couple of parish councillors have also offered their time to help, which is much appreciated.”

As of Monday afternoon, about 700 people had signed the club’s online petitionhttps://www.change.org/p/repeal-the-decision-to-evict-hunmanby-fc.

“We are asking Hunmanby Parish Council to reconsider its decision and work with Hunmanby FC to find a fair and sustainable solution that allows our club to continue playing football in Hunmanby,” the petition states.

It adds: “Hunmanby FC represents more than just the people who run it.

“It represents the players who pull on the orange shirt every weekend, the volunteers who give up their time, the supporters who follow us and the people who have helped build this club from nothing.

“We have come too far to simply disappear.”