'Absolute disgust' after gates ripped off and young player gets covered in dog muck at Lancaster football club field

Storeys of Lancaster FC in Bowerham said new gates to prevent dog walkers accessing the playing field were completely destroyed, and 'no dogs on the pitch' signs had been ripped off the changing room walls.
By Nick Lakin
Published 5th Oct 2020, 14:39 BST
Updated 5th Oct 2020, 14:56 BST
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The club, which is a long-term leaseholder of York Road Field, said the vandalism occurred some time after 9pm on Sunday October 4.

This follows an incident last weekend when a player from the under nine age group team slipped through dog muck whilst playing on the pitch.

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This was despite a dog ban being introduced previously, which is backed by Lancaster City Council.

Gates have been vandalised at Storeys FC in Bowerham.Gates have been vandalised at Storeys FC in Bowerham.
Gates have been vandalised at Storeys FC in Bowerham.

Steven Stirzaker Storeys FC 1st Team Manager, said: "Absolutely disgusted!

"This morning we were informed by a local resident that we'd been subjected to an attack of deliberate vandalism which must've happened sometime after 9pm last night.

"The new gates we'd built and fitted using the clubs own money have been completely destroyed and thrown onto the playing surface.

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"Signs have also been ripped from the side of the changing rooms.

A player from the under 9's team slid through dog muck which was left on the field, despite a complete ban on dog walking.A player from the under 9's team slid through dog muck which was left on the field, despite a complete ban on dog walking.
A player from the under 9's team slid through dog muck which was left on the field, despite a complete ban on dog walking.

"A criminal offence which has been reported to the police.

"We (along with many other local football clubs) have had a constant problem with irresponsible dog owners allowing their dogs to foul on the playing surfaces and then refuse to clean their mess.

"This then renders the pitch unsafe and unplayable."

Steven said the club had made thousands of pounds worth of improvements to the area, and all the work had been completed by volunteers.

Gates were ripped off at Storeys FC.Gates were ripped off at Storeys FC.
Gates were ripped off at Storeys FC.

"This summer we spent over £3000 of our own funds on machinery to help maintain the whole field throughout the year," he said.

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"However the dog mess issue remained culminating in one of our Under 9 age group players sliding through a mess last Sunday.

"Absolutely awful.

Due to this and rightfully so Lancaster City Council have fully backed us in a Dog Ban from our main fenced off playing surface."

Signs were also pulled off the wall in what looks like a deliberate attack on the club.Signs were also pulled off the wall in what looks like a deliberate attack on the club.
Signs were also pulled off the wall in what looks like a deliberate attack on the club.

The club encourages participation in sport for Boys and Girls from ages 4 and upwards.

It consists of a Junior Acadamy (Ages 4-7), 4 Youth Teams (Ages 7-14) and 2 Open Age Adult Teams.

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Steven added: "We aim to provide a top class facility for those to enjoy and to further encourage others to take part.

"In an age where mental health is such an important issue this provides an amazing outlet for so many.

"If anyone has any information in regards to the criminal vandalism please contact us in confidence via inbox message."