A CHARITY football match raising the profile of Northwich playing fields took place over the weekend as part of community coronation celebrations.

Supporting Charities Football Club defeated Matilda FC 3-1 at St John’s Playing Fields, Griffiths Park, Rudheath.

Esther McVey, MP for Tatton, was on hand to present the winners with their trophy, while Winsford Town Lionesses under 11s football team members enjoyed lending a hand as ball girls.

The event is the latest to take place at Griffiths Park in the fight against the land being used to develop 46 ‘affordable’ homes and a three-storey, 66-bed care home, with Ms McVey backing the campaign.

Rudheath Parish Council has been served a letter stating it has until the end of the year to vacate St John’s Playing Fields.

Campaigners are continuing to fight against a planning application which has been submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council by HBV Northwich Limited and Griffiths Park Land Limited, saying the site is a much-needed community asset, offering residents open space to play sports, walk their dog, meet up with friends or enjoy the park with children.

Rudheath Parish Council successfully applied to Cheshire West and Chester’s planning department for the site to be listed as an Asset of Community Value – which was approved in February and means the fields provide ‘further community social well-being or interests and is likely to do so in the future’.

Several youth teams, including 1874 Northwich FC, Northwich Victoria FC and Davenham Junior Football Club, have taken part in matches on the playing fields' football pitch.