Travellers park up in front of Wigan Warriors' home

Three were towed onto the asphalt in front of Robin Park Arena – which is also home to Wigan Harriers – on the evening of Monday, September 2 with the occupants setting up camp there.

A spokesperson for Wigan Council, which owns the land, said: “We are aware of this and are working to serve notice on this unauthorised encampment as soon as possible, which gives us the legal power to carry out an eviction.”

Usually there is a legal cat and mouse game in which a court ruling eventually orders travellers to move on, but it can sometimes take several days.

A spokesperson for Wigan Warriors said: “The Council are aware of the presence on the Robin Park Arena car park and are dealing with the matter.

"We do not expect the situation to have any impact on Friday’s game.”

Travellers occupied the car park at Ashton leisure centre earlier in the summer and since then there have been moves to put a height-restricting entrance gate to prevent larger vehicles – including caravans – getting on there in future.