Midhurst Football Club issues 'zero tolerance' warning after vandalism strikes again

Midhurst and Easebourne Football Club has issued a firm warning to trespassers after it was targeted by vandalism yet again.
The entrance to the club in EasebourneThe entrance to the club in Easebourne
The entrance to the club in Easebourne

On Twitter, the club, based in Dodsley Lane, Easebourne, said it will pass the images of anyone caught trespassing on its grounds to police.

The full post read: “Following more vandalism at the ground we now have no choice but to enforce a zero tolerance to anyone caught trespassing.

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“If you are seen on our grounds,your images will be passed to the police and we will pursue criminal charges.”

The club was also targeted by ‘mindless vandalism’ in December, with glass smashed and thrown over the pitch during the night, which the club, at time, said was ‘so disappointing and disheartening’.

Speaking at the time, club chairman Mark Broughton said vandalism at the club was an ongoing problem and said that the grounds were used after hours by teenagers ‘to get out of the weather’. Read more here

After the latest incident, he said: “It has caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to the ground. It is more than petty vandalism.

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“They have set things on fire, destroyed signage, thrown glass onto the pitch which is obviously a massive health and safety hazard.

“There is also drug paraphernalia and laughing gas canisters left around.”

Mark said enforcing a zero tolerance rule was the ‘only way’ the club could deal with the problem.

He added: “It has been going on for years but it has gradually got worse and worse.

“The level of damage has escalated. We can no longer offer the pitch as a recreational ground.

“The minority ruin it for others, without a care in the world. It is very disappointing.”