Torched car damages Sheffield Wednesday community football pitch
- Published
South Yorkshire Police said a stolen car had been set alight at the Jubilee Sports and Social Club on Sunday
A suspected arson attack has caused "devastating" damage to a Sheffield Wednesday community football facility.
Firefighters were called to the Jubilee Sports and Social Club after a stolen car was driven on to the pitch and set alight on Sunday.
The facility, which cost just under £1m, was opened earlier this year.
Marcus Brameld, from the Sheffield Wednesday Community Programme, said he was "at a loss" as to why anyone would target the site.
Speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield, he said the attack had happened shortly after 17.30 GMT.
"They had cut through the emergency gates with bolt cutters and driven a car on and set it alight and ran off, causing quite a lot of damage to half of the pitch," he said.
The site in Hillsborough is home to a full-size 3G pitch with floodlights, which was paid for by the foundation through grants, external, as well as a gym and dressing rooms.
Mr Brameld said on Friday it had been used for a 24-team schools tournament for more than 200 young players, while Sheffield Wednesday's first team used the facility earlier in the week, with manager Darren Moore describing it as a "fantastic facility".
Mr Brameld said he was "at a loss" to understand why someone would damage the facility
Mr Brameld said the damage to the pitch would mean shutting, but he hoped they would reopen as soon as possible.
"People have rallied round," he said.
"The company that laid the pitch are sending their MD today to have a look at it for us.
"We will get it back up and running and we won't let these people defeat us."
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South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service tweeted, external an appeal for anyone with any information about the incident to report it.
A spokesperson for the service said: "Upon arrival [firefighters] found a car had been driven onto an astro turf sports pitch and set alight.
"This was dealt with by 18:12 GMT and is thought to have been started deliberately."
South Yorkshire Police said the car was a black Toyota Yaris which had previously been reported as stolen.
Officers have appealed for anyone with any information about the incident to get in touch.
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