HEARTBROKEN volunteers have slammed vandals who wrecked two goals at a village football ground.

Irreparable damage was caused to the steel goals at Burton Youth Football Club near Christchurch on Monday.

The frames were bent in the middle, with one pulled from the ground and dragged across the grass at Winkton Fields.

It will cost the club, a non-profit making organisation, more than £500 to replace the two structures.

Treasurer, Paul Groves said: “Money is tight so to replace these will cost us dearly.

“I don’t think these groups of youths realise what they are doing and what impact this has on our children and our club.

“What they think is a bit of fun has turned into a nightmare for us and we shouldn’t have to put up with it. It’s just heartbreaking; utterly soul-destroying.

“We get 150 kids playing here at a weekend. We’ve had phone calls this afternoon from concerned parents who have seen the goals.

“We were due to take them down this week so it’s awful timing.”

The club caters for more than 150 local youngsters and relies on subs and fundraising to meet the £18,000 a year running costs.

“We don’t get any help from anyone and we can’t get insurance because it’s an open field”, Paul added.

“So we have to foot the bill for any damage that happens.

“I would just ask if anyone has any information to tell the police. It won’t help with the damage but it would send a message out hopefully. We are helping to keep more than 150 kids off the street when they are playing here.

“We haven’t got the funds to keep replacing things. A new kit costs more than £700.

“I just don’t understand what they get out of it. It’s just wanton vandalism.”