PORT Glasgow Juniors have been BANNED from playing or training anywhere in Inverclyde because of a long-running dispute over pitch fees.

Drastic action has been taken by Inverclyde Council after many years of arguments over alleged non-payment of fees by the club.

It is understood that the long-running wrangle finally boiled over when the Juniors recently hired Glasgow lawyers and a QC to fight their corner — and threatened the council with legal action if they pursue the club over the money.

Now the council have slapped the team with the ban, leaving them homeless.

A council spokesman said: “Port Glasgow Juniors have been told they cannot use any facilities until suitable arrangements have been made to settle their outstanding fees.” Arguments stretch back for more than a decade over the Juniors’ eviction from their former ground at Woodhall — for a factory which was never built — as well as payment for using the new facilities at Parklea.

Ironically, it seemed two months ago that peace was about to break out.

The local authority struck an upbeat note in February, saying: “We are very hopeful of coming to an agreement.” Juniors secretary, Peter Loughlin, was also optimistic at that stage.

He denied claims the club owed £8,000 in unpaid rent for using Parklea, but stressed they wanted the dispute settled.

Mr Loughlin said then: “Negotiations with the council are better than they have ever been. We don’t want any more grief — we just want to get on with playing football.” No comment was available today from Mr Loughlin.

The Scottish Junior Football Association (SJFA) was also unavailable for comment.

The Juniors have completed their home fixtures for the season but the decision by the council could have serious consequences for the club’s future.

Earlier this year, SJFA secretary Tom Johnston was asked for his view on fears that the Juniors could end up homeless because they hadn’t paid rent since the showpiece £6 million Parklea stadium opened in 2012.

Mr Johnston said at the time: “If Port Juniors lose their ground and don’t have a facility, we would have to look at that.

“It would be disappointing if they were kicked out. The club and the council need to get around the table.” Port official Mr Loughlin has previously warned that the council would face a backlash if it attempted to evict the club from its home.

He said: “We have 113 years of history.

We’re an integral part of the community of Port Glasgow.

“It’s on their head what will come their way.”