A 100-YEAR-OLD bowling club is in danger of folding due to persistent vandalism and hooliganisms.

Crowgill Park Bowls Club in Crowgill Road, Shipley, has been targeted by a gang of children and adults drinking alcohol there since its season started in April.

Teenagers have ridden bikes on the green, which made parts of it unplayable, and damaged the club’s pavilion, including ripping off roof tiles.

They have also been abusive to club members, many of whom are elderly.

It has resulted in a total of 15 dispersal orders being given out by police to children, aged between 12 and 16, to prevent repeated disorder in the town.

Club vice-chairman Geoff Shores, 73, of Wrose, who became a member in 1967, said the trouble had been a daily occurrence and had worsened since the start of the school summer holidays, putting the club’s existence in jeopardy.

“It is upsetting. A lot of members are threatening to leave if it carries on,” he said.

“It is possible we may not have a club next year, but we won’t know for sure until we get our membership list next year.

“Members don’t know what they are going to be confronted with. It is intimidating all of the time. It has spoilt all of the pleasure for our members.

“All we can do is to monitor it. Hopefully the dispersal orders will act as a deterrent and help solve the problem.”

PC Chris Cook, ward officer for Shipley and Saltaire, who handed out some of the orders, say officers will review their effectiveness in dealing with the issues.

He said: “Hopefully this will remedy the situation, but if it does not, we will carry it on.

“These dispersal orders are a step in the process.

“There has been an issue with anti-social behaviour in and around Shipley town centre and Crowgill Park over the last week.

“They have caused damage to the club’s building and most of the people who play there are old people.

“We are aware of the problem and it is being dealt with.”

The Crowgill Road club has about 60 members, with 11 teams competing in leagues throughout the week. The club’s marked its centenary last month. Its first committee meeting was held on July 17, 1917, at the house of WH Moore in Field Street, Shipley, when its first president was appointed.