Club rules out anymore Kabbadi events

Noisy wrestling events which led to a string of complaints about a Black Country football club have been axed, it emerged today.

Sporting Khalsa, the new owner of Willenhall Town's ground, was served with a noise abatement order after annoying neighbours by holding Kabbadi Indian wrestling matches.

The club, which faced a fine of up to £5,000 or court action if it failed to comply with the order, initially said it planned to appeal to Walsall Council.

But today bosses said there would be no more matches held at the ground in Noose Lane.

The volume of a tannoy system was at the centre of more than 30 complaints made by families living nearby.

But parking problems were also cited by residents, who set up a petition calling for the events to stop.

Avi Pawar, Sporting Khalsa's spokesman, said today there were no more plans for any more Kabbadi games, which attract fans from around the country.

"It's not worth the hassle," he said.

"The PA system was brought in on hire for the event so it's not there any more.

"If it had been okay there would have been only one Kabbadi match a year in the summer months.

"Due to issues that have arisen we've decided it's not worth it."

Hundreds of thousands of pounds have been spent refurbishing the grounds, including the new 442 bar — and the club intends to invite residents to its launch event at 5.30pm on September 3.

Mr Pawar said further improvements to the grounds could happen in the future.

He said: "We are looking to put some proper stands in. It's all subject to finance. We definitely want to develop the ground to make it into more of a stadium."

Walsall Council said Sporting Khalsa had not appealed the notice and the 21-day window of appeal had passed.

A consortium linked to Sporting Khalsa bought Willenhall Town FC's grounds when it was put up for sale due to the club owing £60,000 to landowners Marston's Brewery.