‘Mindless’ Vandalism of Wrexham Football Pitch Slammed by Councillors

‘Mindless’ vandalism of a local football pitch has been slammed by Wrexham Council.

Earlier this week Wrexham.com reported that a number of youth football teams were at risk of cancellation after vandals drove across a sports pitch in Ruabon – leaving deep tyre marks across the grass.

The football pitches on Tatham Road are thought to have been damaged sometime overnight on Sunday / Monday evening.

This is the second time this year football sessions have had to be suspended due to pitch damage, with vandals causing significant damage by driving across the site in February.

Speaking to Wrexham.com earlier this week, Penycae Under 14s Manager Aled Williams, said: “Our U13s game is in danger of being postponed this weekend and if the pitch isn’t sorted soon our other 11 aside teams (Under 14s & 15s) will suffer the same fate.”

The vandalism has since been slammed by Leading Members at Wrexham Council who have described the ‘mindless’ vandalism as ‘disappointing’.

Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “This is unacceptable and mindless behaviour, and has the potential to stop youth football teams from taking part in the sport they enjoy. The incident will be referred to North Wales Police, and we hope whoever committed these acts is prosecuted accordingly.

“We are assessing the pitches and will see what maintenance is required.”

Cllr Joan Lowe, Lead Member for Health and Adult Social Care and local member for Penycae, added: “Given my area of responsibility, I’m very concerned to see that this has been done to a sports pitch – a lot of hard work from a lot of volunteers and community-spirited clubs will have gone into making sure the pitch is well-used, and to think it may have to be out of use for a time due to this mindless behaviour is very disappointing.”

Pictures – Aled Williams