Football club left 'gutted' by repeated vandalism

Firefighters were called after a car was set on fire on one of the club's pitches

Members of a football club say they are "gutted" the grounds are being targeted by vandals.

A car was driven onto the pitch of Winlaton Community FC, Gateshead, on Sunday and set on fire.

The club says it is the second time a vehicle has been torched there, and the pitches are often damaged by quad bikes and motorbikes.

Club secretary Steve Harrison said: "We're trying so hard to create something special here and it feels like you're getting kicked again and again".

The club says motorbikes and quad bikes are often driven illegally on its grounds

Winlaton Community FC, which was founded in 2020 by merging Winlaton Vulcans FC and Winlaton Juniors Football Club, has over 250 members.

The site is owned by Gateshead Council, but the club recently acquired a 35-year lease.

"We've got all kinds of plans but this vandalism is a real problem," Mr Harrison said.

"We had another burnt out car about 12 months ago and that was right next to the changing rooms so it was a fire risk."

In 2023, a car was set alight next to the changing rooms which the club says could have led to a building fire

The club has set up a fundraising campaign for £65,000 so it can put up fencing around the site.

"We spent nearly a thousand pounds repairing one goal mouth," Mr Harrison said.

"On one occasion we even had motorbikes going up and down while our Under 7s were training, so it's about the safety of the kids too.

"We have no idea who is doing this but we all feel gutted and just want it to stop," he added.

The club is raising funds to install fencing around its pitches to prevent vandalism

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it was called to a vehicle fire just before 20:30 BST on Sunday, which was "extinguished shortly after".

Northumbria Police said it was looking into the cause of the fire and asked anyone with information to get in touch.