Thugs trash children's football net

Mighty Dragons JFC net destroyed by vandals at Hollinwood Cricket Club

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

RUTHLESS vandals have destroyed a football net which could cost a self-funded team for 13-year-olds up to £1,000 to replace.

The posts were found twisted and sheared on the grass at Hollinwood Cricket Club where the Mighty Dragons JFC play and will now need replacing in the next two weeks before their next home match if they want to play.

Mangled

After their game on the Saturday morning the nets were fine and the team pushed them back to make space for the rugby club, Limehurst Lions, who train there on the Sunday.

But when the rugby team turned up they found the nets which were so mangled they are now unusable.

The coaches are now discussing ways to replace the nets and could look towards eBay as a potential option. Emma Foy, whose son plays for Mighty Dragons and husband helps coach the team, said the vandalism was heartbreaking for the players who devote themselves to the team.

She said: "We have only got the one net now and we have two weeks to replace it.

"It is just soul destroying. They are only 13 and they love playing and training.

"The people who have done this have snapped and twisted it and there is no chance of fixing it.

"It is frustrating because they love playing and kids often get a bad name these days, they then get an interest that keeps them off the streets and it gets wrecked.

"People complain that there is never anything for children to do and they are always hanging around causing trouble and when they are doing something they love and enjoy someone comes along to ruin it."