Dabbers are second to suffer raid

By David Watters

Nantwich Town are set to launch an emergency fundraising appeal after becoming the second EVO-STIK League club to be raided by thieves and vandals.

The EVO-STIK League Premier Division club's Weaver Stadium was broken into overnight Tuesday and the early hours of Wednesday morning, less than two weeks after thieves used Rushall Olympic's own minibus to break into Dales Lane.

Like the Pics who launched an appeal fund after their home was ransacked, the Dabbers lost thousands of pounds worth of equipment including a ride-on John Deere mower, a Haytor mower and other pieces of kit from the groundsman's store.

Both mowers well less than two years old as the Weaver Stadium was targeted for a second time in two years and Nantwich Town chairman Tony Davison called the news "devastating" with much of the equipment paid for by supporters.

Davison told the Dabbers website: “This is devasting news for the club. The equipment stolen was nearly brand new. Some of it had been donated by supporters which makes the theft even more upsetting.

“Running a club at this level is difficult enough at any time but events like this can put the whole future of the club at risk. We will have to launch an emergency fund raising initiative to replace the equipment and make sure we can look after the pitch to make sure it is ready for next season.”

* An inaugural five-a-side charity football tournament at the Weaver Stadium on Sunday raised much needed funds for the Alzheimer’s Society. A large crowd was reported to have enjoyed a feast of football after the tournament featuring 12 teams from throughout the region was organised by Dabbers youth development officer Lyndon Wain.

Wain said: “We have been overwhelmed by the support we have received from everyone at the football club in enabling us to stage the event. More importantly the enthusiasm and commitment we have received from all the teams, who have all donated to such a worthy cause, has just added to it all and made the day extra special, along with a fantastic atmosphere created by the watching supporters and families.”

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