Football academy could be forced to close after eviction notice

A West London community football academy claims it is at risk of closure due to a dispute with the council over a lease.

- By PHILIP JAMES LYNCH

Football Samurai Academy has been served an eviction notice and was due to vacate by April 22, 2025.

The academy, which is based at North Acton Playing Fields and partners with several local schools, serves more than 360 children from 25 nationalities. Academy director Hideyuki Miyahara known as Hide said that despite over a decade of investment by their organisation, they are being evicted without prior consultation, and there is a "100 per cent" risk of being forced to close down.

He added: "We have lots of events coming up in the summer and winter, and we have to cancel everything.

"In 2024 the council sent us a draft of the lease and we were ready to sign, but all of a sudden they changed their direction towards 2025.

"I have been asking for the last five months, then we were served an eviction letter. We didn't know why they are trying to remove us."

Ealing Council says the academy no longer has a lease for the playing fields, and has not had one for several years. As such, the council says it has issued a notice to quit the premises.

Hide said he believes this raises "serious questions around transparency, accountability, and the treatment of local community organisations".

Ealing Council says it remains in legal talks with Football Samurai and cannot discuss the details.