Football club 'gutted' after pitch vandalism

Volunteers at a grassroots football club in Leicestershire said they were "devastated" at having to call off matches after two pitches were vandalised.

A vehicle was driven on to the youth playing area at Whetstone Athletic just after 15:00 GMT on Friday, leaving deep muddy ruts on the grass.

Organisers said dozens of children were left disappointed after seven teams were unable to play matches on the pitches in Lutterworth Road over the weekend.

An online appeal has been launched to help pay for repairs at club, seeking to raise £10,000 for repairs and additional security.

Leicestershire Police said it was investigating a report of criminal damage that was made to the force on Saturday.

The club said CCTV showed the vehicle, an orange, pick-up style van with ladders on the roof, being taken on to the grass and then had its wheels spun to cause further damage.

"We are gutted," said club secretary Kirk Nicol. "There is a lot of work that goes into these pitches and it is from unpaid volunteers.

"We have probably some of the best grass pitches in the county and to see them all churned up with tyre tracks is a bitter pill to swallow.

"You put all that work in and it is wiped out within the space of two minutes - it is really upsetting."

The appeal has been launched to repair the pitches and install secure fencing to prevent vehicles from accessing the pitches and to protect them from future damage, organisers said.

In a statement on social media, the club added: "This means that seven of our teams will be unable to play, and more than 100 children will miss out on the joy of football.

"As a grassroots club run entirely by volunteers, incidents like this hit us hard."

A statement from Leicestershire Police said: "Officers are investigating a report of criminal damage to football pitches at a sports club in Lutterworth Road, Leicester."

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