Footballs

[Jazzysslave]

Our neighbours' kids play in the cul-de-sac than runs along our side boundary (front and back gardens). No problem with that. Their footballs are constantly coming into our gardens. No problem with that either. I used to just chuck them back. However, as they are getting older, they are now playing with 'proper' footballs - the heavy, leather kind - rather than the light rubber kind. As yet there has been no real damage caused by balls coming over the 8' hedge/fence, but I think that is just luck. In recent weeks, the trellis on the fence has been broken, our hedge is full of football-shaped holes, pots have been knocked over and plants damaged. A few days ago a ball smashed against a big double glazed window in our side porch - it didn't break, but made a terrific noise. Yesterday, a ball missed OH's beloved car by millimetres (we have just sacrificed some of our front lawn to shingle to we can park it as far from the boundary as possible). Now, as soon as I hear the balls bouncing around in the road I am on edge. I don't want to be a grumpy neighbour, but would it be unreasonable to have a word with the parents to explain my feelings and concerns, and ask that they play football elsewhere (they have their own back gardens and there are open fields within 100 metres)?

I don't think you are being unreasonable Jazzy, and I say this as someone involved in a ridiculous long running feud with my neighbour over my kids playing in the street.

My kids use a very light foam ball in the street, as they are just a tidge too young to go to the nearby playing fields. No danger of any thing being damaged.

Thanks. I just feel I might be turning into a grumpy old bag who all the neighbours and their kids hate! I really don't have a problem with them playing (we back on to a school playground and I actually miss the noise when they are on holiday). I understand that as they grow up the kids want to play with proper footballs and they don't mean to kick the ball over the hedge/fence. I have asked them to play football elsewhere, but it makes no difference - and I heard one of them saying to another, "I'm not allowed to play football in the back in case I knock Mummy's plants down"... I'm a bit scared to talk to the parents in case nothing changes - then what?

My granddad used to put a knife into any football that bounced into his garden - now THAT'S unreasonable

If a ball causes damage I'd keep it then when the parents march round to get it back you can show them the damage done by said ball and ask them how they intend to pay.
No payment - no ball.
Simple.

I am the parent of a footballer, and I think it would be quite reasonable to go to kids/parents and say the ball coming over is causing regular damage, broken trellis, hedge, pots etc, and if it hit one of you it would be a problem.

I am guessing they use your wall as a goal. Ask them to turn the game round so play up and down the street instead of across, or switch to lighter ball again, or not play football here.

If they can afford leather footballs, they can afford to pay for any damage to your property!

My brothers next door neighbour used to use his car as the goal and get his kids to kick the ball at it.

He felt db was unreasonable to conplain!

YANBU

my kids play football and there's no way i'd let then play in our close. admittedly it went over our fence a few time when they were playing in the back garden, but no, they should be trashing parents back garden not the cars in the street and your windows