Calderdale football club's ground attacked by vandals... again

Brighouse Town, which plays at St Giles Road, is a club which has been hit by damages of over £3,000 in June alone after the club was targeted during two seperate incidents.

In the wake of the second incident, the club’s ground manager Darren Laycock has spoken of his ‘annoyance and frustration’.

Mr Laycock said: “Our coaching staff caught youths between the age of 15-20 years old trying to steal our goals from the ground, which were tied and bolted to one of our fences.”

His comments are coupled with the fact the club sit in financial limbo after its season in the Northern Premier League Division One North West (Tier 8) was placed under null and void due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“They were caught lifting our junior teams goals over the fence.

“It’s appalling because it’s equipment for young children who are learning to play football.

“Our youth teams range from ages eight to 10.

“We’ve assessed the damage of the four goals that have been damaged.

“They’ve been snapped to pieces - and will cost around £1,200 in total.

“I just don’t get why people want to cause this sort of damage.”

The football club was first hit by vandals in early June after youths had trashed goals and parts of the pitch, which cost the club thousands of pounds to maintain.

“It’s annoying and frustrating because our main source of income is from fans, and with the season null and void we’re finacially struggling,” said Mr Laycock.

As a result of the first break-in, the club set up a Gofundme page, which has reached up to £5,000.

Mr Laycock said: “With this lockdown we have even less money and this situation hasn’t help with morale as well as financially.”

West Yorkshire Police are investigating the matter and have asked anyone with information to contact police on: 101 referencing crime number: WYP 20200601-1729.

If you would like donate to the club’s fundme page, visit: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/brighousetownafc