Appeal starts to upgrade security

The Dabbers, whose 3G pitch and facilities were already being routinely plagued by trespassers and vandals, lost thousands of pounds worth of equipment when raiders broke into the groundsman's store at the Weaver Stadium during the early hours of last Wednesday morning.

A ride-on John Deere mower, a Haytor mower and other pieces of expensive kit were stolen and after being targeted for a second time in two years, the EVO-STIK League Premier Division club's devastated officials are applying for grant funding to step up security at the ground, including the installation of CCTV to deter burglars.

An online fundraising page has been set up to help bridge an expected funding gap and the Dabbers urged their supporters on Saturday to spread the word and get the campaign off to the best possible start.

Nantwich Town spokesman Steve Sharman said: "Thousands of pounds of equipment was stolen, the second such break in within the last two years. In addition, the club is routinely plagued with trespassing on the 3G pitch adjacent to the Weaver Stadium. We have had numerous occasions of broken beer bottles, empty Prosecco bottles and worse left strewn across the pitch.

"The frequency of such invasions has increased rapidly in recent weeks and we now have no option but to take action to prevent such behaviour destroying a fantastic community asset in Nantwich and endangering the safety and wellbeing of our young footballers. The club is therefore developing an improved security plan which will require significant investment aimed at keeping unwanted trespassers off the 3G and installing improved CCTV to deter burglars.

"To fund this investment NTFC have applied for grant funding where possible but need the community of Nantwich to help out raising funds to meet the gap in funding. We are therefore announcing a £10k fundraising campaign to help bridge the funding gap. Without such a campaign the whole future of the facility could be at risk. We are therefore asking local businesses, charities, societies, supporters and individuals to help towards the ‘Secure Your Club’ fund."

For more information and to donate, visit the club shop or the campaign's Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/nantwichtown-fc

Follow us: @evostikleague on Twitter | Facebook www.facebook.com/evostikleague