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Club put on a sticky wicket

Eve Dugdale
19/11/2003

MINDLESS vandals may soon bring about an end not only to a town's cricket club, but to a much-loved local tradition.

Over the last two years Droylsden Cricket Club on Fold Avenue has been the target of countless attacks by vandals. Among other things, they have flooded the club by leaving the showers on and breaking the pumps at the bar, wrecked the pitch by riding bikes on it, stolen a safe and repeatedly smashed windows.

On Tuesday night, grills on the windows at the club were cut away and the windows were smashed again. This was the second incident in as many weeks.

Two weeks ago microwaves, a stereo, cooker, fridge and all the crockery was smashed and ceiling tiles ripped away. The thugs also ripped the cupboard doors from their hinges and damaged tables and chairs before squirting tomato ketchup and mustard across the walls.

Keyholder George Turner said: "We're no sooner on our feet having raised a bit of money doing functions or charity work before we have to spend it on repairs.

"A lot of our senior members have played here as juniors and grown up with the club. It's a tradition."

George says if the attacks continue the club will have to close. "It's not very nice when people come down for christenings and 21st parties and see all the windows boarded up. It's disheartening," he said.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the police.