Hammer thugs in club rampage

ONE of the beating hearts of Chadderton’s footballing community has been kicked where it hurts by heartless thugs.

Chadderton FC treasurer Glynn Mellor was confronted by a scene of devastation when he made his daily call on the Andrew Street clubhouse on Monday to find culprits had smashed their way in and ransacked the premises.

Mindless yobs had not only stolen hundreds of pounds worth of stock, they also punched a hole in the water tank flooding the ground floor and dressing rooms, threw football kit in the water and kicked off doors.

Club chairman Bob Sopel says the repair bill will top £1,000 and unless they can get emergency repairs carried out this weekend’s games look likely to be off.

“It’s absolutely devastating,” said Bob, who says they’ve just spent £3,000 securing the ground and are constantly repairing vandalism to the supporters stand and dug out.

Struggling
“Why anyone would want to do this I don’t know.

“Like everyone else at the moment we’re all struggling financially so the last thing you need is someone sticking your foot out to trip you over all the time.

“We’ve had a lot of damage and vandalism over the last 18 months and it hurts, it really does.

“We’ve got a lot of potential and talent here. I’m fanatical about football and it’s my ambition to develop the facilities and the club for the community and get some youngsters’ teams going but that can’t happen if this keeps happening.”
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