A STRUGGLING football club will not have to pay out £1,000 to repair damage thought to have been caused by vandals.

On Sunday an out-of-control car ploughed through a wall at Thackley Football Club and became wedged in the metal crowd barrier with its rear wheels on the turf at the Dennyfield ground.

Senior committee member Mick Lodge told how this was a "hammer blow" for the club during tough financial times.

However Mr Lodge yesterday discovered the damage was caused by accident and was not deliberate vandalism.

"It turns out it was a total accident and the driver involved had left a message about the incident on the landline of another committee member who rarely checks his phone," Mr Lodge said.

"Apparently the driver has already contacted their insurers and police are satisfied this was not a malicious act and merely an unfortunate accident."

He said it was a relief to know what had happened and that it was not part of any hate campaign against Thackley AFC.

"What's also gratifying is the strength of support we've had from grassroots football fans offering help or donations to sort out the damage - which happily we will no longer need," Mr Lodge said.