Forest owner donates to vandalised football club

Evangelos Marinakis said he was "saddened" to learn about the damage

A junior football club in Nottingham targeted by vandals said it is grateful for support after high-profile donations helped its rebuilding efforts.

Pelican Colts FC’s Dave Eastwood Sports Ground in Lenton Lane was left unusable after it was damaged while travellers occupied the site earlier this month.

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis and Wales international Brennan Johnson, who started his career at the club, have both donated money.

Colts chairman Steve 'Coco' Chaplin said he is "lost for words" after receiving their support.

The football club was targeted by vandals earlier this month

Pelican Colts had set a fundraising target of £10,000, with Johnson - who played for local rivals Dunkirk as a child and made a big-money move to Tottenham last year - contributing £1,000.

The target has now been exceeded after Mr Marinakis matched the £8,000 that had already been raised.

In a letter to the club, he said he was "saddened" to learn of the damage, adding he hopes the club "continues to thrive as a welcoming space for young aspiring footballers in our city".

Mr Chaplin said the support from the club and its former star striker "was totally out of the blue", adding the donations will have a big impact in helping the club get back to its feet.

"We were on [our] knees a little bit, but this has helped us now," he said.

"All the kids will be running around playing football [again] - hopefully this weekend, but it's a push really, but certainly the following weekend we'll have the kids back down there."

Jemma Marriott, a club volunteer whose children play at the club, said the response to the fundraiser was a happy ending to a difficult time.

"It's been a real struggle, mentally as well as emotionally, seeing my children upset that they can't play," she said.

"Thank you doesn't seem enough for what the community's done."