Vandals cause damage costing thousands at Kettering football club

Vandals have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage at Kettering FC during the coronavirus lockdown.

Damage to the pitch, litter and broken goals are all estimated to cost the community club more than £2,000.

Phil Coe, one of the club's founders and secretary for the adult side, said: "We have the two pitches by the Sir John Lowther County Scout Activity Centre and during lockdown we had to stop training but we have been doing maintenance.

"We started to notice stuff was being moved around and now trespassers have trampled and damaged the pitches, broken two goals and over the bank holiday there were three families having picnics in the dug outs.

"The litter has been unbelievable."

The two damaged goals will cost £1,400 to replace alone.

The pitch was reseeded but this has now been scuffed off after trespassers ignored and removed the notice and rope which was fencing the area off.

Phil said: "The growing season is over now, so we are going to have bald patches."

The club had already spent £600 treating weeds on the pitch.

Phil added: "They think it's a victimless crime but the kids will end up paying for it. We probably won't be able to get new kits now."