POTENTIAL World Cup stars could be forced to hang up their football boots because of a lack of facilities.

Volunteers who run junior football club All Stars United fear it will have to fold next season because they cannot afford to keep forking out for private pitches.

And the club manager fears several other teams in the area will go the same way unless Greenwich Council does more to improve the state of public pitches.

The club, which was formed five years ago, has more than 70 youngsters aged from eight to 16 on its books.

Last year it was forced to pay up to £80 a match to play at a private ground in Ivor Grove, New Eltham.

Club chairman Paul Thomas says it cannot afford to continue paying out and says several other junior clubs are in the same position.

He says future Beckhams and Rooneys will be denied the chance to hone their skills unless the council provides more pitches.

Mr Thomas, of Wickham Lane, Abbey Wood, said: "People in our country say we are behind at sport but we have not even got the facilities to cater for clubs such as ours.

"We have gone to the council countless times asking it to help us but it does not listen. Managers of other teams have told me they are in the same boat.

"Without a ground we will be without a club. It's such a shame."

The club says the empty Gaelic Athletic Association sports ground in Avery Hill Road, New Eltham, would be ideal for its needs.

Vice chairman Laura Davis said: "How can a site such as that be left empty when there are people out there who need pitches?

"There are lots of teams in the same position but the council does not have any systems in place to help us. If we don't get a ground we will be forced to fold."

Cabinet member for culture Councillor John Fahy says he will meet with All Stars' representatives at "the earliest opportunity".

He said: "We want to work closely with those organisations helping to support talented stars of the future."