Vandals condemned for ground attack

Police are hunting a gang of youths who vandalised Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Ossett Town’s ground.

Up to 40 youths went on a wrecking spree at the West Yorkshire club’s Ingfield, pictured, smashing up 23 seats and causing other damage in and around the main stand.

The incident was witnessed by the First Division North club's 63-year-old Honorary President Graham Firth. He was verbally abused by a group of around a dozen youths after he asked them to leave the stand at around 7.30pm last Thursday. After calling police, Firth went back to the stand around half-an-hour later where a group of forty youths had gathered and were causing damage.

An angry Firth told the Yorkshire Post: "To attack a community club is just disgraceful, especially when it is run on a voluntary basis. We are going to have to find the finances now for repair work."

Lee Broadbent, Town’s Vice-President, added: "It is incredible disappointing. We pride ourselves on being a community club, which is open to anyone in Ossett to come along and get involved in. We have got 350 junior players. I cannot fathom or understand people’s mentality to see that as a worthwhile activity on a Thursday night. It’s beyond belief."