Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
OUTRAGE AFTER THUGS TARGET FOOTBALL CLUB
Boss of Albert Foundry slams ‘delinquents’
THE chairman of a football club has hit out at young people suspected of damaging its facilities.
Windows were smashed, a dugout vandalised and seats burned and broken during the attack at Albert Foundry FC.
Boss Stephen Young told the Mirror: “It’s really, really frustrating.
“We’re trying to push this complex on to be bigger and better for the kids and the adults in the community.
“It just seems to be there are some delinquents out there hell-bent on causing havoc.”
Police are investigating the incident which happened between 5pm on Thursday and 9am on Friday at the ground off the West Circular Road in North Belfast.
Mr Young said damage was extensive, adding: “We are in the process of building a new dugout and they have come in and knocked all the blocks off the top of it. They kicked the side walls making it wobbly so they had to be knocked down and built up again.
“They burnt seats, were bouncing on them and have broken some of them. They also smashed the changing room windows.”
Mr Young, who believes young people are responsible, said: “They need to think twice about the hard work volunteers do here be that the boxing club, football club or bowling club.
“I understand maybe there isn’t an awful lot to do for young people from our community – Highfield, Springmartin, the West Circular Road.
“There’s not much for them to do. I totally understand that, but they need to think twice about what they’re doing.
“If people know who they are please contact the police or contact us.”