Welsh Conservative Regional MS Dr Altaf Hussain is backing the villagers in their fight to get the playing fields opened up again for public use.
He said: “I have visited this area and met the campaigners who are asking Swansea Council to reverse the decision they took to allow the football club to fence off this field.
“I believe that this area of open space is important to the wider community in Waunarlwydd who have been using since the 1920’s and earlier. It became even more crucial when Swansea Council built The Firs housing estate in 1975 to a design which gave residents very little amenity space. But as the estate adjoined the playing fields, the children and residents of this estate were able to use the fields for leisure and for play.
“I understand that no-one is calling for the lease to be revoked and that villagers are happy to see the football club using this land but want the dual use with the community to continue.
“It is also important that local children are able to carry on walking through these fields in order to reach their schools. I have contacted Council leader Rob Stewart about this issue and will be submitting further arguments to him in a bid to get the fields opened up.
“I understand that statements that were made regarding vandalism and anti-social behaviour taking place on this land were mistaken and result from police confusing these fields with the Waunarlwydd Play park which has been the subject of complaints.
“I am adding my voice to the villagers in calling on the council to rescind the permission that was given to the club to enclose these fields and while nobody expects them to remove the fence, which I understand cost £12,000, we are asking for the gates to be unlocked so that people have access once again.”