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North Ormesby Junior Football Club hit by arson

HUNDREDS of young footballers will have to beg and borrow equipment from other clubs after arsonists did this.

Expensive nets, footballs and training gear was stolen, vandalised and burned during a rampage by yobs at North Ormesby Junior Football Club, Middlesbrough.

One cabin was torched, destroying all the gear inside, while the other was ransacked and its contents smashed to pieces. Police have begun an investigation.

Just hours before the mindless spree last Friday night, a fundraising night at North Ormesby Working Men’s Club had drummed up hundreds of pounds for the club, which is used by kids aged seven to 18.

But the cost of the damage is estimated to run well into the thousands.

Gary Bytheway, manager of the Under-10s team, said: “The cabin is completely burned out - it’s black.

“Everyone’s sick about it. I can’t describe how I feel. I’m just gutted.”

He added that some of the goalposts that were smashed were worth about £1,000.

“The kids who use them are going to have to try to find somewhere else to play,” said Gary, aged 46.

It’s not the first time the club has been targeted. Last summer, vandals broke into the storage cabin and smashed up goalposts used by seniors.

“It was just mindless vandalism,” Gary added. “We haven’t replaced them because we can’t really afford it.”

Fourteen teams use the facilities, and hundreds of young people have now been left without anywhere to play.

Organisers are keen to hear from any businesses, community groups or clubs who can help with funding or lend equipment until North Ormesby Junior FC gets back on its feet. Call Gary on 07809 453036 if you can help.

A spokesman for Cleveland Police told the Gazette: “Police are investigating this incident. We’d urge anyone with information to contact Middlesbrough police on 01642 303126.”

Source: by Sam Beattie, Evening Gazette