More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Thieves have left a grassroots football club facing a £3,000 bill after making off with fence panels from a sports ground.
They struck overnight on Tuesday at Staplehurst Monarchs Football Club, where the theft of the wooden fencing and damage done to the concrete posts during the removal was discovered on Wednesday.
It is a huge blow to the Kent County League club as the fences, erected to enclose the senior team's pitch, were funded by grant money and the club currently has no income with the grassroots game suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The theft comes after damage was also done to the dugouts by groups of youths who use the sports ground as a place to hang out.
Club officials regularly find beer and cider bottles as well as nitrous oxide canisters strewn about the place.
Once news of the fencing theft spread, the community was quick to rally round the club. Almost £2,000 has been raised in small online donations, while the local youth club has generously given £1,000.
Club secretary Will Evenden says any cash left over once the damage to the fencing and dugouts is repaired will be used to enhance security at the Jubilee Field sports ground where the club is based.
The 38-year-old said: "It's a significant amount of money considering there's no football likely for some time and funds are very tight.
"When we found the fence was damaged on Wednesday morning we were angry and upset, but we won't let them beat us. We will find the money and get going again, the response has been quite overwhelming."
The money for the fencing came from Football Foundation grants. If the club hopes to play in a higher tier of the non-league pyramid, the Southern Counties East Football League, it is conditional on having the pitch enclosed.
In addition to the senior men's team, the club also operates a thriving youth section for players aged from five to 16 years old.
A police spokesman said: "Kent Police has received a report of theft and criminal damage at a sports ground on Headcorn Road, Staplehurst between 8pm on June 16 and 7am on June 17. Ten fence panels were reported stolen and damage was caused to the playing field."
Anybody with information should call the appeal line on 01622 604100 quoting crime reference 46/104003/20
