A non league club have recently revealed they have been left hurt after being repeatedly targeted by vandals breaking into their ground.
Peckham Town posted photos, via social media, of the damage and mess made by the culprits over the last few months.
The Kent County League Premier Division outfit said: “We are a 100% volunteer run club. We love football and changing young people’s lives. The last few months have been really difficult for everyone.
“However, we are hurting so much with the massive increase in vandalism on our two sites.
“Please stop.
“It’s not okay to break into our ground, have a picnic on the main pitch and then leave your litter. We spend many hours every week maintaining the main pitch to provide a quality surface for the best amateur players in South London.
“Please don’t do this.
It’s not okay to break into our ground, have a picnic on the main pitch and then leave your litter. We spend many hours every week maintaining the main pitch to provide a quality surface for the best amateur players in South London.
Please don’t do this. 2/8 pic.twitter.com/DIPTR4CQ3n
— PECKHAM TOWN FC (The Menace) (@PeckhamTownFC) June 15, 2020
“It’s not okay to climb on fragile roofs and smash up expensive goalposts. We pay for this equipment from the subs our players pay.
“Please don’t do this. Unsurprisingly we want goals to kick into when football restarts.
It’s not okay to climb on fragile roofs and smash up expensive goalposts. We pay for this equipment from the subs our players pay.
Please don’t do this. Unsurprisingly we want goals to kick into when football restarts. 3/8 pic.twitter.com/Omj16rBfWD
— PECKHAM TOWN FC (The Menace) (@PeckhamTownFC) June 15, 2020
“Please don’t dump rubble at our ground. If we have to pay for its removal, then you are reducing the funds that we have to pay for football equipment for our young players.
“Please take your rubbish to the dump, or wait till it reopens. We don’t want it.
Please don’t dump rubble at our ground. If we have to pay for its removal, then you are reducing the funds that we have to pay for football equipment for our young players.
Please take your rubbish to the dump, or wait till it reopens. We don’t want it. 4/8 pic.twitter.com/mDNNbnUm7U
— PECKHAM TOWN FC (The Menace) (@PeckhamTownFC) June 15, 2020
“We would really prefer it if you didn’t take down the advertising boards to make skateboard ramps. You shouldn’t be there anyway, but please stop damaging our signage. These cost money too.
“The training ground at Pynners is private, so please don’t use it without permission. We need to monitor usage to protect the pitches.
“If you do break in, then NEVER drive your car on the pitches, as it damages them really badly. Yes, this has happened too.
“We usually prefer to keep issues like this private, but it has become so bad that we need the communities help. We can’t be there 24/7. If you suspicious activity, then please let us know via DM, or via the phone number on Google maps.
“Despite these setbacks, we still love the game! If you are interested in helping out when football restarts, then please do get in touch. We always need more volunteers, and will publish an article on our website shortly on this.”
Fans reacted once seeing that the non league club have been left hurt after being repeatedly targeted by vandals…
Hard to know what is wrong with some people! Let us know if any help needed clearing or putting things back together nearer the start of the season ?
— Mark Dunckley (@MPDunckley85) June 15, 2020
Absolute mindless and disgusting behaviour, Seen many threads from non league clubs suffering vandalism and its because they know folk arent at the ground as often.
— Stevie Guy PhD ??????? (@Renegade_Moors) June 15, 2020
Sad to read of the troubles being experienced by the Club. Vandalism does not achieve anything it just hurts those volunteers who give their time freely to allow young people to enjoy sport.
— John Moules (@jamstarter2012) June 16, 2020
Sorry to hear this guys. Seems lots of sports clubs having these problems at the moment if we can’t have volunteers there 24/7… what is wrong with people?
— Dulwich Cricket Club (@dulwichcc) June 15, 2020
What is wrong with these people! So sorry to hear this x
— sue shiel (@redwine_rebel) June 15, 2020
Sorry to hear about your problems – having been the victim of a burglary last year we know how it feels. #staystrong
— Glebe Football Club (@glebefootball) June 16, 2020
We suffer the same and have done for 20 years. Arson attacks x2, smashed up clubhouse, stolen equipment, criminal damage etc, etc. Fly tipping haven.
Keep on keeping on though. More good people than bad.9— Hampton Rangers FC⚽️ (@HRangers) June 16, 2020
Very sorry to hear about what has happened…you would think those involved would realise how expensive it really is for an amateur football club to maintain their playing pitch and facilities. ⚽❤
— Cinema4CamberwellGrn (@Cinema4CwellGrn) June 16, 2020
Sorry to hear this
— Mark Knight (@markknight62) June 15, 2020
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