Drumchapel United targeted by vandals shooting fireworks at pitch

The club has launched a fundraiser to try and help with the thousands of pounds worth of damage

Author: Alice FaulknerPublished 16th Oct 2024

Bosses at an amateur football club in Glasgow have said they are shocked to be the victims of "mindless vandalism".

Large sections of the astro turf at Drumchapel United have been burnt after vandals shot fireworks directly at the pitch.

Club managers have said the same group returned the following day, causing even more "severe damage".

A fundraiser has been launched with a target of £4,000 to help restore the pitch, which was only a couple of years old.

At present, all games and practices for youth teams and schools have been halted due to the damage.

'Everyone at the club is frustrated'

Co-manager of the club, Adam Hopes, said the situation is disappointing.

He said: "There were some young kids on the hill and they fired fireworks in the direction of the pitch.

"They landed on the pitch, which then caught on fire.

"They came back the following day and did the same thing, leaving even more damage.

"It's that bad that it's costing the club thousands of pounds to repair - the pitch was only a couple of years old, too.

"It's postponed all matches.

"I would say everyone at the club is frustrated, it's not something you think is ever going to happen, so when it does, it's disappointing for everyone involved.

"People train hard to play games at the weekend and we've not been able to provide that under these circumstances."

Police Scotland were contacted for comment.

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