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Whittlesey football centre hit by vandalism attacks
A NEW £200,000 football centre in the Peterborough area has been plagued by vandals before a game has even kicked off.
A NEW 200,000 football centre in the Peterborough area has been plagued by vandals before a game has even kicked off.In the latest incident, vandals cut two huge holes into the mesh panelling surrounding Whittlesey Junior Football Club's Field of Dreams project.
It comes after a spate of petty vandalism to the site which has left the club, which is building six football pitches on the site of a former brickworks, west of Stonald Road, in Whittlesey, considering the need to raise funds to buy a CCTV system to protect the grounds.
Site perimeter fencing was only put up last month, and inside the newly-laid grass pitches are currently growing.
Football club chairman Steve Fidler said he was very upset to find the damage, especially as it will mean more money could have to be raised to pay for CCTV surveillance.
Mr Fidler said: "Everyone involved is extremely disappointed that all the hard work to secure the facilities has been dealt a big blow.
"When I checked the pitches on the Friday night it was fine, but when I looked on Monday there were two holes in the fence, and it looked like bolt-cutters had been used.
"One of the holes is at the front of the pitch and one at the rear, maybe someone was trying to get to the nature reserve at the back.
"We only laid the grass last week, so it is at a crucial stage to make sure it grows OK.
"We have a bit of minor vandalism before, but fence suppliers A1 Fencing kindly sorted that for free.
"But this mindless criminal damage has an adverse affect on the community, especially as so many Whittlesey people have been involved with the fund-raising."
Mr Fidler added that the repair cost to the 60,000 fencing will be about 200, but it now means the fund-raising group will have to think about collecting cash to pay for CCTV cameras.
He added: "It costs a child 100 in subs a year to play for the club, so that's two of them gone straight away."
The vandalism was reported to Cambridgeshire police, and officers confirmed investigations were taking place.
Whittlesey mayor Cllr Steven Garratt said he was appalled when he found out about the damage.
He said: "This is not just upsetting for the football club, but also for the whole community. I am very disappointed this has happened as it now creates a needless repair cost."
It is hoped that the 15 junior teams will be able to use the pitches by summer 2009.
A further fund-raiser takes place at the Whittlesey Ivy Leaf Club, in Gracious Street, today when football legend Matt Le Tissier will be the guest speaker.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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