Thieves raided a football club which has just undergone a major revamp.
The intruders smashed their way into Marsden FC’s clubhouse on Fall Lane in Marsden shortly after a fundraising event ended there.
The event would up around 1am today – but shocked officials discovered the burglary when they turned up this morning for junior football games.
It is especially disappointing as several people have given up countless hours over the summer to revamp the premises to transform it into a community building.
Club secretary Neil Wood said: “Fortunately none of the takings from the fundraising event were in the clubhouse and the burglary was committed sometime between 1am and 9am. They tried to remove breeze blocks at first but when that didn’t work they then attempted to jemmy the door before finally prising the window frame.”
Once inside the intruders stole a £700 PA system along with a £150 LD TV that had only been bought a couple of weeks ago and a Playstation. They also escaped with booze and other bar stock worth around £500.
“It looks like they knew just what they were after,” said Lee. “By causing the damage and stealing from us they are, in effect, stealing from the kids.”
The damage and disruption included broken glass on the pitch which meant the under 7s game had to be cancelled this morning but the under 15s were in action as usual by this afternoon.
Police forensics experts have examined the scene for evidence.
Neil’s son, Lee, and his friends sisters Becky and Katy Moulson along with Guy Gledhill and Oliver Radcliffe had spent most of the summer revamping and redecorating the clubhouse to transform it into a community hub. The work includes the seats being reupholstered and a new kitchen fitted.
“It’s just so frustrating,” said Lee. “They had done all that work – often working into the early hours of the morning – and now this. They’ve made it the best club in Marsden.
The club has come on leaps and bounds in recent months and now runs eight junior teams for under 6s, 7s, 9s under 15s and a girl’s team in the West Riding League.
