Vandals could put us out of business warns football club

Toilet doors were kicked in and fence panels ripped out by thugs in the latest attack on AFC Hayes, in Kingshill Avenue, Hayes.

The damage was done over several days last week, the second time the club has been damaged this year, with repair costs now totalling more than £5,000.

In the last five years club members say the damage has exceeded £15,000.

Barry Stone, the chairman of the club, says staff are having to fork out money from their own pockets to pay for repairs and if it continues it will make it difficult for the club to continue.

He said the club provides a valuable facility for youngsters and holds the largest youth tournament in the south east. Last weekend alone AFC Hayes had more than 340 teams playing at its grounds, with at least 5,000 visitors.

"Vandalism seems to be a problem which is prevalent with most clubs, but we are suffering from it really badly," said Mr Stone.

"We are having to pay out thousands of pounds for repairs and we can't afford that kind of money. It's just mindless vandalism which is massively draining our resources.

"I just can't understand why they are doing it when we are providing a facility which helps young people. It's frustrating and we really don't know what to do.

"We need to put up an iron fence to stop this from happening but that will cost us about £20,000, and at present we can't afford it.

Keith Gavin, club treasurer, said: "We just seem to be a target. Every time we repair the fence they damage it again.

"They demolished our changing rooms a few months back and we haven't been able to afford the repair, so now it means we have to go without that facility.

"I have no idea why they are doing it, especially when the club is trying to do something positive for youngsters in the community."