Divisive plans to replace an area of Morden parkland with a floodlit football centre may be the latest victim of the economic downturn.

Campaigners hope that Goals Soccer Centres will ditch its proposals after announcing it would be developing fewer new sites - from six a year, to four - amid profit warnings.

The company owns 32 centres across the UK and revealed a 3 per cent drop in growth over the last 12 months.

Jackie Schneider from the Save Morden Park campaign said: “Obviously we have nothing against Goals Soccer Centres so we’re sorry that they are having a hard time financially.

“But we will be delighted if this means that Morden Park is one of the developments that they drop.”

She added: “I wonder if the recession will mean that there are an increased number of outlets on retail parks/industrial estates and other brown sites that are empty?

“These sites are not near residential areas and a Goals centre here wouldn't cause such ecological havoc.”

Campaigners were infuriated by Merton Council’s decision to award a lease on the disputed area of land to the football company following an open tender process.

They claim the floodlit, all-weather facility would ruin the local environment and are concerned of the adverse affects caused by constructing a bar on the site.

The company has no contractual obligation to embark on the project, and with existing centres in Raynes Park and North Cheam, speculation that the Morden plans will be dropped has intensified.

At the time of going to press, Goals Soccer Centres was unavailable for comment but Councillor Maurice Groves, Merton’s cabinet member for community services, said there has been no indication that the scheme would not go ahead.

He added: “If Goals pull out then we’ll look at that situation as it arises but whatever we do, it will be in the interest of maximising the facilities available to residents in the borough.”