After a year of struggle for Rickmansworth Cricket Club, with little income, it was a shocking sight that greeted the volunteers when they saw that someone had broken into the field changing facility and caused damage and vandalism.
On Friday, December 11, a group of people broken into the changing room and damaged some equipment and spray painted graffiti on the walls, which of course, comes at a cost for the historic club.
Speaking to RickyNews, club spokesperson, Paul Blackwell, said: “It is such a kick in the teeth, when we have had such a tough year for all sports clubs, that a group of three or four people have chosen to break in and damage our equipment, spray graffiti on the walls and then sit down and have a takeaway meal.
“The offenders left a few clues, not least the fact that they had the pizza delivered to the location by a local pizza delivery firm. It does strike me as complete idiocy as to why you would give the police a clear set of clues as to who you are.
“Hopefully, this means the police can catch them before they continue to cause further damage to the clubs facilities and other sites in Rickmansworth.
“The chances of catching somebody in the act is always fairly slim, and I think we are just an easy target for vandalism. It is frustrating for the volunteers at the club because somebody always has to tidy the mess up and put things away. I just think it is a bit mindless.”
It is not the first time the club have been subjected to vandalism, after an attempted arson attack and theft and criminal damage.
Paul added: “On a regular basis we confront gangs of youths who are trespassing on our land, but we have a large set of grounds surrounded by a public path, and without expensive security equipment we are a sitting target for mindless vandalism, property destruction and petty theft.
“We dread the school holiday periods, but we will keep going.”
In cricket news, the club hopes to restart indoor cricket nets during January at a local school and invite anyone interested, either junior or senior players, to make contact with the club via their website.
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