A grassroots football club has appealed to local businesses for help after its recently renovated clubhouse was wrecked in a £12,000 vandalism spree.
Thugs left Stone Town FC’s clubhouse covered in paint, urine and faeces, as well as smashing windows and tiles, breaking through the ceiling and destroying a sit-on mower. They also slashed chairs with a Stanley knife, destroyed a 45-inch television and threw the contents of first aid kits around.
Chairman Bill Bratt discovered the damage on Tuesday at 4pm when he visited the club’s Outlanes Sports Ground off Old Road.
He said: “I built this clubhouse more than 30 years ago and over the past six months it has been completely renovated. Now it has been destroyed by totally senseless vandalism. I just can’t believe people would do this.”
The damage is estimated to come to £10,000 to £12,000. The building itself was covered by insurance, but the contents were not due to the remote location of the site.
Now the club, which plays in division one of the Uttoxeter & District Sunday League, is appealing for local businesses and tradespeople to help them clean up the devastation and restore the clubhouse.
Bill said: “I have been overwhelmed by kindness since we discovered what had happened. We would like to appeal for local businesses and tradesmen, like painters and decorators, electricians, plumbers, skip hire and labourers, to get in touch if they can help our little club out.”
A fundraising campaign has also been launched which has so far raised more than £1,400.
The club says that any tradespeople who can help with the clean-up operation will get a free pitchside banner for their business.
Daily Focus has contacted Staffordshire Police for comment.
To get involved message Stone Town FC’s Facebook page or phone 07973 529132.
