SIDESTEPPING disgusting dog muck is hopefully a thing of the past for rugby players now their training ground has been fenced off.

Around 300 metres of fencing was erected around part of Lydney Recreation Ground in May, alongside signs banning dogs.

Lydney RFC officials cried ‘foul play’ after a county rugby tournament featuring more than 1,000 young players was nearly cancelled by referees because of the piles of dog muck on the playing areas.

And trust members responded by spending £9,000 on fencing to stop irresponsible dog owners letting their pets foul the playing surface.

Lydney RFC’s players have now started training for the upcoming season, and to date their pitches appear to be dog muck free.

First team coach Dave Emery said: “We have had four sessions so far and at the moment we haven’t seen any dog mess as yet. So hopefully the fence has done the job.”

Club president Derek Pomeroy added: “The dog ban appears to be working and has achieved a clean playing area for the kids,” while Lydney Town Council chief executive Jayne Smailes described it as “excellent news”.

Back in May, trust chairman Derek Biddle said: “Having taken legal advice, the trust has been left with no alternative other than to ban dogs from the sporting areas which will eliminate any future exposure to dog faeces, thereby reducing any possible health risk. 

“Trustees have a ‘duty of care’ for all sports players which we take seriously and it is unfortunate that due to a few irresponsible dog owners we have been forced to enclose this area.”