A THRIVING junior football club is in shock after thieving yobs stole precious trophies, 40 brand new footballs and kit from its clubhouse, then vandalised the building.

Baildon Trinity Dynamos JFC on Cliffe Lane West was targeted after last weekend’s fixtures when shutter doors were forced and the bags of training balls taken.

Club chairman Richard Cockcroft, said: “We are still in shock and can’t believe someone could create so much devastation.

“We have a big job on our hands to clean up the mess and our fundraising team are working hard to try and replace all the equipment swiftly so that the children don’t miss out.

“What breaks our hearts are the stolen trophies - which we had proudly displayed in our club - these are irreplaceable.

The raid has left its young players distraught, said the club’s welfare officer Victoria Paterson

“The boys and girls are devastated to find their premises has been broken into, vandalised and equipment stolen including eight trophies,” she said.

“It’s just such a heartless thing to do, this is a junior club, run by people for the community.

“We’d just bought all the new balls ready for a tournament we are holding in June.”

“Eight trophies were taken which the children had won in tournaments

“A trophy from an African club, to say thank for kits to them, was found smashed to pieces.

“Ketchup, mustard, Drinks and bleach were thrown everywhere by the vandals, before the fire extinguisher was set off and the toilets were left soiled,” Mrs Paterson said.

Coffee, tea, sweets and drinks, which the club sell to raise funds were also taken.

Mrs Paterson urged people to watch out for the new balls being put up for sale and listed the missing items as ten orange and black size 4 Mitre training balls and bag, ten white, blue and black size 4 Mitre Impel training balls and bag, five Mitre Tactic size 4 yellow and blue training balls, five Mitre Tactic size 4 pink training balls and ten orange Pendle size 3 training balls and bag.

Baildon Trinity Dynamos JFC was founded four years ago and has over 60 players aged from four up to 11 years old.

District councillor for Debbie Davies, (Con, Baildon) is also shadow portfolio for children’s services and said she wanted those responsible to be punished.

“This is outrageous. Sport is so important for young people.Those who are guilty should face really tough action,” she said.

A police spokesman said the clubhouse was broken into some time between Saturday, May 14 and Tuesday, May 17 and urged anyone with information to call Shipley NPT on 101 quoting crime reference number 13160211206.