'In jeopardy' Doncaster junior football club launches £5,000 appeal after vandal attacks

A £5,000 fundraising appeal has been launched to help secure the future of a Doncaster junior football club with a string of vandal attacks and thefts leaving the club in jeopardy.
Tony Walton has blasted yobs who have smashed goals and stolen equipment from Armthorpe Wolves.Tony Walton has blasted yobs who have smashed goals and stolen equipment from Armthorpe Wolves.
Tony Walton has blasted yobs who have smashed goals and stolen equipment from Armthorpe Wolves.

Heartbroken staff and officials at Armthorpe Wolves have endured a number of attacks in recent weeks, with equipment stolen and smashed and a storage hut broken into and ransacked.

Now a crowdfunding appeal has been launched to ensure dozens of young footballers can continue to play for the club, which uses facilities at Shaw Wood Primary School and Armthorpe Academy in the village.

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Chairman Tony Walton said: "Over the past three weeks, we have had four mindless acts of vandalism, ranging from theft of our entire supply of footballs to physical damage to our shed leaving our club in jeopardy.

"Our club is run by volunteers for the community with the lowest fees in our area and we therefore do not have the financial capability to replace everything at a moment’s notice.”

"It is heart breaking. First time was goals on the field, then equipment stolen, then hut broken into and ransacked and beyond repair now goals have been thrown over the fence and deliberately destroyed.

“We are volunteers. We do this for the children in our community to ensure they have somewhere safe and fun to play football.”

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The club wants to raise £5,000 to purchase a secure storage unit, more robust metal goals and additional security measures to ensure equipment can be used to its full potential and allowing dozens of children the chance to play regular football.

Parents and villagers have also organised a series of raffles and other fundraising initiatives to help the club which has a number of children’s teams as well as a walking football group, with games and training taking place at weekends.

Added Tony: “On behalf of the entire club, the committee would like to thank anyone that donates and helps to create a brighter, safer community.”

More than £1,700 has already poured in for the fundraising appeal.

If you would like to donate, you can visit the fundraising page HERE

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