West Bromwich football club pitch appeals for donations following major pitch vandalism
A local football club is appealing to the public to help them raise £5000 after their playing fields were damaged by vandals.
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The Charlemont home pitch of Bustleholme Football Club, a grassroots club serving West Bromwich, was recently the subject of vandalism earlier this month - much to the distress of the 400 football players who use it every weekend.
The players, whose ages range from four to sixteen, are said to now be looking for other venues and pitches to continue their training and 'alleviate disruption'.
Pictures and video taken at the site show car tracks that have sunken in the grass and filled up with rainwater. The offenders seemingly drove one vehicle all over the pitch, leaving a significant amount of damage.
Leon Judge, chairman of Bustleholme Football Club, says a lot of time and money has gone into the pitches only for them to be destroyed.
The club is mainly looked after by a team of volunteers who help maintain the pitches, but the chairman is now appealing for the public's help.
"We've recently had some vandals come down onto the pitch," Mr Judge said, "and unfortunately drove some sort of vehicle across the pitch. They've ruined all the pitches for the kids.
"We're trying to raise some funds to repair the pitches and secure the site so we can get the kids back playing football for the community. A lot of volunteers' time and money has gone into these pitches.
"We really hope we can get them back to how they were so we can get the kids back playing on them again."
The club has set up a Crowdfunding site with a target of £5000, and has so far raised £3,439.
A statement on the Crowdfunding site reads: "At Bustleholme FC, we are a family-oriented club that perseveres to go the extra mile to facilitate grassroots football within the area. We have an army of volunteers that help maintain the pitches and the club house in their spare time from the leadership team and all the Coaches from our Grassroots teams, but we need your help.
"Your donations will help repair the pitches and make the site secure, preserving the future of our football matches and training sessions for junior players starting their football journey.
"We are calling this campaign the #Bustleholme_FC_Pitch_Perfect_ Campaign. Thank you for helping Bustleholme FC preserve the future of Grass Roots Football in West Bromwich.
Anyone willing to donate can do so here.
