Broken glass left by thoughtless vandals on a football training pitch is putting young children at risk of harm, says Woodstock FC’s head coach.

Training staff at the club arrived to train the under 6s and 7s last weekend and found broken bottles littered on the grass and in the dugouts.

After carrying out a safety inspection and removing the debris they were  able to resume training with no harm to the children.

But head coach Liam Walker described it as “soul destroying” and said: “We had spent the last few weeks getting our Covid protocols in place but the irony was what caused the most danger was the smashed and broken glass all over the pitch.

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“It took absolutely ages to clear up and we can’t guarantee we got every piece as it was smashed up into very small pieces.

"It’s completely needless and mindless behaviour that is putting the safety of little children at risk.”

It is the latest in a series of incidents of vandalism and anti-social behaviour that have plagued the club during the past year of lockdowns.

Last summer there was an attempted break in at the club causing damage to doors. The police attended.

Last July around 10 teens were caught on CCTV in the process of lighting a bonfire on the training pitch.

Mr Walker said: “We have had young people trespassing, the clubhouse door was kicked through. We’ve had two attempted break-ins and numerous incidents of criminal damage. The fence around the pitch perimeter was broken.

“The damage has been done over the past year during lockdown and the school holidays and there is evidence of alcohol and cannabis use.”

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He added: “Now there is graffiti which is just the latest in a long litany of issues.”

The field at New Road is a private venue but the club allows the community to use it. However, they now say they are forced to seriously consider restricting access.

Mr Walker said: “The cost of repairs is running into two or three thousand now. We spent an awful lot of money last summer on the training pitch and the replacement door for the clubhouse was a significant cost for a club of our size. We are a small, non-league club.”

The club is at the heart of the Woodstock community.

Mr Walker said: “We don’t charge under 6s and 7s for training. We have tradesmen on our playing staff who have been fixing boilers for elderly people for no cost during the pandemic. It’s a kick in the teeth. Ultimately it’s the community which is responsible.

On Facebook he appealed: “If you know anyone who might be involved, please have a word with them. This can’t continue as it is only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt.”