A YOUNG Wirral woman is hoping to launch a campaign to save the memorial playing fields next to Tranmere Rovers football ground.

Helen Dodd, from Birkenhead, wants people to be reminded of the story behind the fields at Ingleborough Road.

The 23-year-old is concerned that the football club's plans to build almost 100 new homes on the site will do little to protect the memory of fallen soldiers.

The land, which was formerly used by Birkenhead Institute, was acquired by Tranmere Football Club from Wirral Council during the 1990s.

But now the club is hoping to scoop £5m by securing planning permission for the houses to be built at the site.

If the application succeeds, the sale of the Ingleborough Road land would be used to redevelop the local authority-owned Woodchurch Leisure Centre as a facility for the League One football club and the community.

Plans include several new football pitches, a cafe bar, manager's office and a health and fitness suite.

However, Helen believes it is important for local teenagers to have a way to remember fallen heroes from the First World War.

Among those commemorated is Birkenhead-born wartime poet Wilfred Owen.

Helen, who has recently graduated from university, said: "In a time when our soldiers in conflict abroad are recognised and supported by the wonderful Help for Heroes charity, fallen heroes from the Great War are about to be obliterated from Birkenhead's history.

"The Great War poet Wilfred Owen who lost his life at the age 25 fighting for our country is one of three soldiers awarded the Military Cross among the 88 old boys commemorated at the ground.

"Each man is represented by a tree at the boundary of the field, four of which will be removed in the proposed plans.

"I understand how important it is for young people to be kept occupied and have footballers to look up to but it is also so important to know about the men who died so they could be here today.

"I'm hoping more local people will share my views and help me gather support for the cause."

The club has pledged that the new development would be "priced to ensure local community access."

Supporting planning documents said the development would be funded by receipt from the sale of Ingleborough Road with other sources including Oxton Hockey Club, English Hockey, the Football Association to support grass pitch development and Sport England Protecting Playing Fields fund.

A valuation report, also submitted, indicated that the existing Ingleborough Road training facility would be worth £150,000 as a sports complex; but with planning approval for 90 homes, it would rocket to £5m.

The plans are set to go before Wirral Council's planning committee at the end of September.

The Globe has contacted Tranmere Rovers' spokesperson for a response.