Kids' pitch damaged by vandals on motorbikes

Vandals on motorbikes have left a children's football pitch unusable for six months after ripping up the grass and causing "significant damage".

Deep tyre tracks were left across the pitch used by Huncoat United Junior Football Club.

The club said it would cost about £80,000 to secure and fix its two pitches at Bolton Avenue Recreation Ground.

Club treasurer John Stitt said the ruts left by the damage were dangerous for players, but that it was too late in the year to resow the grass. "We're now effectively out until late spring," he said.

"They think it's just wilful criminal damage. They think it's a game," Stitt added.

The latest incident happened on a new seven-a-side pitch at Bolton Avenue Recreation Ground, built to replace the club's former ground after it was cleared for the £3bn Haweswater Aqueduct upgrade project.

Stitt said the pitch has temporary fencing to protect it, but that it is "not secure enough".

He said the damage means players will have to either play at away grounds or hire pitches from the council or third parties.

Welfare officer Jennifer Barlow urged riders to "leave our pitches alone", adding there are "plenty of places" for people to ride bikes legally.

"It's the cost that occurs every single time that we're vandalised," she said.

"We're a grassroots club, we've got very limited funds, but this is very important to the children.

"It's the green outdoor space that they get to enjoy every single week, it's a community for the parents.

"The knock-on effect is absolutely massive."

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