Vandals cause £6,000 damage at Leicester football club and halt training sessions
Vandals have forced a football club to cancel free training sessions for children.
The criminals smashed up St Andrew's FC building in Aylestone, Leicester, on Wednesday night and stole cash, alcohol and a television.
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Coach Darren Creed and son Baylea survey some of the damage
The club estimated the cost of the damage at £6,000.
Club chairman Andy Ward said: "It's a nightmare as we run at a loss as it is. For a small team or organisation, £6,000 is a lot of money.
"The alarm has been ripped from the wall, our tills have been stolen and our pool table had money taken from it.
"Our alcohol, sweets and confectionery have all been stolen. We've also had money taken from the safe."
Training sessions for children were cancelled yesterday , and were expected to be cancelled today.
Mr Ward said: "Everybody's pitching in and we will try to get the football sessions up and running as quickly as possible.
"We've got around 18 teams here and this effects every single one of them."
Darren Creed, the club's under-12s manager, discovered the damage yesterday. He said: "There have been windows smashed, security grills damaged and fire doors have been kicked in. We've also had our new wide-screen television stolen.
"It's disappointing not just for usbut also for the kids."
Police are investigating. Anyone with information can call officers on 0116 222 2222.
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by Donna Kemble, Aylestone
Monday, August 09 2010, 4:59PM
“with reference to Robert leicestershire comment.
With reference to your comments regarding st andrews football club, it is a non profit making club, that accommodates teams from 5yrs-veterans, and merely kicking around a bag of air is so off the mark. I would like to point out to you that it may only be a bag of air however there are many generous people who dedicate there own time, money, and work tirelessly hard to try and improve our community! My husband Darren Creed (as interviewed in the above article) gives around 30 hours a week of voluntary time to coach childrens football, not only training the children twice a week, organising games, trips, but also has run a completely free soccor school every day through the school holidays.
This is engaging the children so as they wont be hanging around the streets bored and causing trouble and vandalising shops,cars etc Many of the children then continue to stay with the club well into adulthood.
Needless to mention the various charity event that many people put alot of hard work into for example the sunday after the breakin there was a LOROS charity event!
So it may be a bag of air but that bag of air does an awful lot of good for many, many children and also adults, not to mention the many charitys including loros and wishes for kids that are also supported throughout the year. You are more than welcome to come down and see the good work that this club does,if you would like to do so please contact Darren through the club.
Mrs creed”
by Praetorian Ghost, No Where
Tuesday, August 03 2010, 2:55PM
“Red, that's ok, if we've always had it, we should always tolerate it???
As for 'in this modern society', with technology, issues are more readily broadcast and reach a wider audience with Facebook, Twitter, WWW, mobile phones etc, however, the use of the reference library is in such decline, I hear they're closing it.... A sad indictment of modern society all round. (In my opinion)
;0)”
by Robert, leicestershire
Friday, July 30 2010, 3:40PM
“What is sad is that someone needs training to kick a bag of wind about.”
by Jason A Parent u10s, Leicester
Friday, July 30 2010, 2:26PM
“This Great Club that provides so much time and effort to many local Children from age 6 and upwards are now left with a huge bill for repairs, and replacing items that were stolen, this really has not helped an already struggling Local football club all because some idiots are too stupid to think about their actions.
I hope all local people and business can offer some kind of Help to this club in its hour of need.”
by Mr A, leics
Friday, July 30 2010, 1:41PM
“Red,
As I said, "in my opinion. .......".
nuff said?”