'Mindless vandalism' - Hebburn Town football club condemns blaze yobs who trashed youth pitches
“The football club is extremely frustrated and deeply disappointed following acts of mindless vandalism.”
A prominent South Tyneside football club has condemned vandals who part-destroyed its youth pitches – leaving them to question their investment in community facilities.
Bosses at Hebburn FC said they are “disheartened” and “deeply disappointed” after grass at The Clock Playing Fields was badly torched by fire on Bonfire Night.
They were met with devastation when they checked their newly renovated pitches to also find burnt mattresses, paint cans and other scattered trash.
And they revealed similar damage had been caused to Lukes Lane playing fields, where a 9v9 pitch it operates was also subjected to vandalism and damage.
Due to winter weather, the club, which plays in the high-ranking National League North, says all damaged grass will be irreparable for at least several months.
In January, it revealed significant investment in restoring four pitches at The Clock Playing Fields to create what it said was a vibrant football hub for local players and families.
In a statement, its shocked Board said: “The football club is extremely frustrated and deeply disappointed following acts of mindless vandalism carried out at our facilities on the evening of Thursday 5th November.
“Having attended our site at The Clock Playing Fields, we were met with the devastating sight of a large bonfire, significant scorch marks across one of our newly renovated pitches and substantial amounts of debris, including paint cans, mattresses and other waste.
“The actions of those involved, adults and teenagers alike, have not only caused significant damage to facilities that the club has invested considerable time, effort and money into, but have also had a direct impact on the availability of these pitches for football.
“As a result, football cannot be played on the affected pitches, not only this coming weekend but potentially for a number of months.
“The damage caused, particularly the scorching and destruction of playing surfaces, is extremely difficult to repair during the winter months when grass growth is no longer possible.
“In practical terms, the damage to these areas may be irreparable for the foreseeable future.
“To see facilities that we are working so hard to improve for the benefit of local children subjected to scenes such as those witnessed this morning is incredibly disheartening.
“It genuinely makes you stop and ask the question: why bother?”
In its statement, the club also revealed it had sought permission to enclose the fields with fencing, which had met with some local opposition.
It said the events of Bonfire Night were proof the move was necessary to protect the land.
The Board added: “Our intention has always been to protect the asset, safeguard the investment being made and ensure the facilities can be enjoyed by the young people and wider community for whom they are intended.
“Sadly, the events of last night demonstrate exactly why we believe these measures are necessary. Our immediate priority is to make both areas safe.
“Work to address the damage and clear the debris will begin today, with Local Authority (LA) teams already having attended the site to remove as much of the waste as possible.
“We would ask those responsible to take a moment to reflect on their actions and, more importantly, the consequences.
“This is not simply damage to a football pitch. It is damage to facilities intended for local children, young people, families and the wider community of Hebburn.
“The people who ultimately suffer are the very people these facilities are being developed to support.”