Clubs rally round as Wren Rovers count cost of latest break-in

Raiders ransacked Blackpool Wren Rovers’ clubhouse overnight on Sunday, smashing an outside door before escaping with hundreds of pounds of alcohol from behind the bar.

It comes after a new lawnmower, worth £5,000, was stolen from the School Road club in May and near neighbours AFC Blackpool suffered a vandal attack last week.

Clubs have been quick to rally round with AFC Blackpool manager Martin Baird among those offering their labour for free as the repairs get underway.

Mark Faber, chairman of Blackpool Wren Rovers juniors, said: “Our chairman Dave Brewell went to the club on Monday morning to find the padlock on the front gate smashed off.

“They’ve tried to get in the front of the clubhouse by smacking off the lock but there’s a deadlock on it. Then they’ve walked 100 yards to another part of the ground, got a sledgehammer and then just attacked the door.

“They’ve taken a load of spirits from the optics behind the bar and even a few bottles of champagne. Some had been tossed on the roof. They’ve even taken a box of sweets and soft drinks we have for the juniors and a wifi dongle, but not signed shirts.

“The front door is totally wrecked but it could have been a whole lot worse.

“We’ve got a couple of joiners among the senior lads but I think we will now need to get some roller shutters for the doors and install some CCTV. They seem to be able to smash their way through padlocks.

“Martin Baird from AFC Blackpool has offered his labour for free to do that work, which is a fantastic gesture, but if there’s anyone who could help us with some good value security we’d be grateful of the help.”

And Faber thinks the culprits are older children.

“There are footprints going in,” said Faber, who has spoken to Lancashire Police about the break-in.

“They are dirty footprints as it was wet on Sunday night and they look about size 7 to me.

"They only go into the bar area – what worries me is it might be someone who knows the set up here.

“I’ve messaged the lads at Squires Gate to let them know and to be on their guard as it’s not long that all the clubs round here, including AFC Blackpool and South Shore Cricket Club, were done over in the space of a few nights.”

Craig Doble, first team manager, added: “All the hard work you put into it and this just spoils it.

"So much time and effort is given to clubs like ours by so many people and these mindless idiots just come along and spoil it for everyone.”