Metal thieves steal goalposts from Wigston pitch
Two amateur football teams are facing an uncertain start to the season after thieves stole their goalposts.
The Plough FC and Wigston United, who share a pitch at Wigston's Willow Park, discovered last Monday that their goals had been stolen during the summer.
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Wigston footballers Jamie Johnson, Peter Norman, Dean Coles, Gaz Norman, Chris Sands, and Adam Fawcett have had their metal goalposts stolen by thieves to sell on
Each team had left their four sets – comprising eight posts and four crossbars – locked together in the park near to the clubs' changing rooms.
It is believed the thieves stole the posts, which are made of steel, for to sell them for scrap.
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The current high value of scrap metal is driving thefts across the county.
The sides cannot play their home fixtures in Leicestershire's Alliance League until they find replacements.
They have been quoted between £800 and £900 for a set of two goals.
Wigston United have already had to postpone one match while the pub team are worried their first home game of the season this Sunday will also have to be rescheduled.
Gary Norman, manager of Plough FC, said: "It's a real kick in the teeth because everyone was buzzing about the new season starting.
"If they'll steal goalposts, they'll steal anything.
"The cheapest goals we can find are £460 each and we just can't afford that at the moment."
Mr Norman's brother Peter, who plays for the Plough FC, said: "We found out they'd been stolen when we went up there the other day to rub them down and repaint them for the new season.
"It's hit both clubs hard because we haven't been able to start the season properly."
Rich Harrison, secretary of Wigston United, said: "The season has only just started and we're in limbo.
"It looks like it's going to cost £800 for two new goals, although we're hoping that another club is going to be able to help us out.
"We've been going for 15 seasons now and nothing like this has happened before.
"We've had people break the locks we use to secure the goals before, but they've only done that so they could set them up on the park and use them themselves, but this is far worse."
Inspector Sian Walls, commander of Wigston police, said: "The rising price of metal is an issue for us.
"Metal is valuable to thieves and it is worth considering very carefully how items are stored."
Anyone with any information about the theft is asked to contact police on 101.
Alternatively, call Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.
Comments
by georgeisafish
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 10:25PM
“karinfall1955, there is no deterrent in our modern world. excuse after excuse and daft judges passing suspended sentences. goalposts, cable, gas pipe, bikes, catalytic converters and lead from the house of god, all stolen by lowlife scum who cant be bothered, adding to the social decline of great britain.”
by karinfall1955
Tuesday, September 11 2012, 12:07PM
“Is there anything these mercenary scum won't steal? Whilst walking my dogs recently on Glebe Road, Oadby I noticed several drain covers missing, obviously stolen for their scrap value. I did notify the police as the remaining holes could have caused damage to car wheels or unwary pedestrians. Please some high profile prosecutions as a deterrent - please??”