Plans to build a clubhouse at a popular football club in Watford are under threat after travellers have moved onto the site.

More than 20 caravans invaded the pitch at Everett Rovers FC in North Western Avenue this afternoon.

The police and staff from Watford Borough Council are currently at the site trying to remove the travellers, who were evicted from a site in Dodd Road last night.

The club's chairman Glenn Peach said he was "absolutely devastated" as the invasion means the club cannot build their £600,000 clubhouse.

He said: "I am fuming. We have battled for 18 years with developers to keep these football pitches, used by around 350 children.

"For the first time in our history we were due to have a clubhouse built but now the building will have to be delayed as the travellers have wrecked the place.

"I feel like after 16 years of hard work are for nothing. We are trying to give back to the community and it is all for nothing.

"This is the furthest the club has ever gone forward and now we risk losing it all."

Police confirmed fences had been smashed by the travellers so they could access the site.

Mr Peach said he went up to the site last night to take measurements for the new clubhouse - which has been paid for with a £500,000 grant from the FA.

At 8pm he received a call to say travellers were moving into the car park.

He added: "I thought that would be the end of it but we have just been called to be told the fences have been smashed.

"We just got the money to build the clubhouse and this has happened. How can people get away with this. Who is going to pay for the damage?"

Police said no arrests have been made.