North football clubs cry foul over attacks
Jan 14 2009 by Dan Warburton, The Journal
TWO North East football clubs have been left devastated after arson and vandal attacks wrecked their facilities.
A blaze tore through the changing facilities of a Wearside football club and caused more than £50,000 worth of damage in a “mindless” arson attack.
Firefighters were called to the Washington Football Club on Spout Lane, Concord, Washington, at 1.45am to find the home changing rooms and the referee facilities destroyed.
Officials from the club yesterday confirmed a range of new equipment had been laid out in the building in preparation for the club’s home match against Norton last night. But the clash was cancelled and footballs, strips and nets were all damaged by fire.
Derek Armstrong, chairman of the Northern League Division Two team, said there was no way of knowing how long it would be before the club could use the facilities again.
He said: “I was called at around 4am and when I came down, I found the devastation. All the new equipment has gone up in flames.
“The players will be gutted. We’ve had a difficult run and the players have stuck by us through it all. We’ve got junior teams who play here, and the fans are also going to be very upset.”
Coun Peter Walker, who is in charge of the Washington North area in which the football pitch lies, said the community would be concerned by the attack.
He said: “It sounds like mindless stupidity, to be honest.
“The most worrying thing for the local community is that someone would do something like this – that will be the biggest concern.”
Meanwhile, another football club in the North East was also the target of vandalism.
Wrekenton Blue Star’s pitch at Eighton Banks, Gateshead, has been left unplayable after vandals drove over it on a quad bike.
The club have been forced to cancel their coming fixtures and are seeking an alternative place to play. It could take weeks to repair the damage.
Harry Fairley, treasurer of Wrekenton Blue Star FC, who play in the Gateshead and District League, said: “We had a game and that finished on Sunday at about 12.45am. I came back to the ground on Monday morning and the fence was broken. Then I saw the pitch, someone has obviously ridden all over it on a quad bike or something.
“It will cost hundreds of pounds to repair and it will take a while. We won’t be able to play on it for weeks.”
Northumbria Police are appealing for witnesses to both acts of vandalism.
Anyone with information is asked to contact them on 03456 043043.
