A PENARTH football club is urging the council to improve their standards on tackling dog faeces after one of their players became infected and required medical attention.

Gareth Clarke, 37, of Purcell Road, Penarth, who plays for Cogan Coronation AFC, noticed a stinging sensation in his arm after his match on the pitches behind Penarth Leisure Centre.

After going to his local doctors, he was informed that dog excrement had entered his body through a small cut on his wrist during the match on Saturday October 31.

“The dog faeces went from half way down my arm to my hand,” said Mr Clarke.

“I didn’t think much of it at the time but I noticed a stinging sensation on Sunday after the game.”

Mr Clarke, who is self-employed, was forced to take a few days off work while the sensation in his forearm subsided.

The club have contacted the council, who own the pitches in Penarth, but Mr Clarke’s main concern is the danger this could pose to younger footballers.

“I just hope that lessons can be learned from this so that this doesn’t happen to anyone else,” he said.

“I was told to report the incident just in case it happens to children or youngsters as no-one wants this to happen to them.”

A club official from Cogan Coronation AFC said on the issue: “Every time we have a home match, we have to scan the pitch beforehand and regularly have to clear away dog mess.

“It is totally unacceptable, and even more so now one of our players has become infected by it. There is a massive public safety risk here, especially given the numbers of children who play at our club.”

The club has contacted the Vale of Glamorgan council to request a meeting to discuss ways in which to improve the situation going forward.

Head of visible services and transport for Vale of Glamorgan council Emma Reed said: “Dog fouling is an issue that can blight public spaces and is potentially a danger to public health.

“The Vale of Glamorgan Council works hard to educate dog owners about their responsibility to the wider community.

“Unfortunately a small minority of irresponsible owners still allow their pets to foul our parks and sports pitches.”

She added: “If residents or visitors to the Vale witness instances of dog fouling we would urge them to report it to us via our website or contact centre so we can take enforcement action.”