One particular non league club have been left frustrated as their ground is set on fire in the early hours of one morning.
Fire services were called to ten tier Framlingham Town FC after the booth at Badingham Road – converted from a wooden shed – was set alight in an incident Suffolk Police are treating as arson.
There unfortunately was no CCTV footage of what took place, and police have warned that finding the culprits is unlikely, prompting an online fundraising page to replace the booth.
Thanks to everyone for your kind messages and offers to help with the repair work following our fire.
Appreciate it is a tough time for many at the moment especially at Xmas but if you would like to donate to the cause we would be extremely grateful! https://t.co/6rlOrxJJ0x
— Framlingham Town FC (@TheCastlemen) December 20, 2020
Club chairman Dean Warner spoke of his disappointment at news of the arson attack, adding that it topped off an already “nightmare” year for the club.
“Grassroots football has taken a pounding this year anyway – it’s been a complete nightmare,” said the 58-year-old father-of-two.
“To have this happen just tops it off. The running of the club is mainly done by volunteers, and it’s for the community.
“So to have someone do this when we work so hard to provide the facilities is just really disappointing and frustrating.”
Since setting up the fundraising page a few days before Christmas, the club have seen almost £2,000 of their £5,000 target raised from the non league community.
“It’s fantastic,” added Mr Warner as quoted by Diss Express, who has served as chairman for six years. “Since I put up the first online post about the incident, we’ve had tremendous support.
“Some of the names you can recognise, but then there are a lot of people from outside the club who have donated, too.
“And then we had other offers to help with other bits and pieces – some people wanted to come and clear up the site.”
Suffolk Police have urged anyone with information on the incident, which happened at around 6.45pm on the 16th of December, to get in touch, quoting reference number 37/72807/20.
To donate to the club’s fundraiser, click here.
MESSAGE ON DONATION PAGE
Hi all,
Dean Warner here, Chairman of Framlingham Town FC (‘The Castlemen’), a grassroots football club with a 130 plus year history and run solely by volunteers.
On the 16th December 2020, at approximately 6.30pm the entrance gate/pay booth to the main ground was torched in a confirmed arson attack and as you can see by the picture, little remains. The fire also caused substantial damage to the perimeter fencing.
It goes without saying that this event has caused the club much upset, anger, stress & frustration especially with the unprecedented times everyone has endured and continues to endure with Covid-19.
Like all grassroots sports clubs, the ability to fund raise has been severely curtailed with the previous 10 months being very hard, made worse by the restrictions on refreshments and alcohol sales on match days!
On behalf of Framlingham Town FC, I am therefore appealing to everyone that knows ‘The Castlemen’ across Suffolk whether they be friends, supporters, associate’s or otherwise to help us raise much needed funds to allow us to replace our entry gate/pay booth and perimeter fencing asap with a more secure building?
I fully appreciate that this year has been financially challenging for everyone around the country but hope collectively through your generosity we can reach our target?
That leaves me just to say thank you for taking the time to read this and any donation will be gratefully received.
Lets hope that 2021 will be a better experience for us all!
Thank you for your support!
Fans gave their reaction as the non league club is left frustrated as their ground is set on fire…
@Flatty1987: Arseholes. I’d imagine framlinghams a very small community. So someone will know something
@gotnohairjamie: See arson is still a problem with people around your area, my mums car was set on fire a few years ago in the car park whilst watching my brother play against you lot!! Funny enough it was this time of the year as well. Hope you catch the little fuckers.
@IanWats49146020: Disgusting behaviour by an individual or individuals. Totally shocked that somebody would do this to a great football club and especially this time of year and the way 2020 has been
@sprowstonmark: Disgusting show from whoever done this hope they find them and make them pay for what they done … hopefully the club will be able to sort this out and be back running again soon
@fakenhamtownfc: It’s a real shame to see this. Especially in the current circumstances. If there’s anything we can do to help and support then let us know and we will do what we can!
@TTFC99: Truly shocking. These idiots need to be locked up. Best wishes to the club.
@NorfolkNChanc11: Love it that the public and local folk are pulling together!
@PaulAtSeas: FFS!! What is wrong with some people
@PagetRangers: Terrible news ,its hard enough
Absolute wankers. I hope you catch them
— James Buckle (@08bucks) December 17, 2020
Bastards 😡
— Herbie (@AshleyHerbert04) December 19, 2020
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