Arsonists (From Warrington Guardian)

Arsonists

will not stop our contest

EQUIPMENT for a children's football tournament has been destroyed in a blaze sparked by arsonists.

Goalposts, banners and corner flags were all wrecked in the storage shed blaze at Crosfield's Recreation Ground, off Hood Lane in Great Sankey, last Thursday.

But organisers of the annual five-a-side tournament, which is due to take place next month, say they will not be beaten.

Andy Hall, of FC Crosfields Football Club, said: "We might have to do things on a smaller scale, but are determined for the event to go ahead.

"We have been ringing around clubs and are hoping that people might donate or lend us equipment.

"We have lost more than 300 goalposts and the nets, so at the moment it's going to be a case of using jumpers for goalposts!"

The tournament, which has been running for the past seven years, attracts youngsters from across the north west.

This year's event is scheduled for July 24 and 25, with 30 per cent of the profits due to go to Liverpool-based charity KIND, which provides trips for underprivileged children.

A spokesman at Warrington Fire Station said that crews tackled the blaze just after 9am last Thursday, and confirmed that it was being treated as a case of arson.

If anybody would like to donate or lend FC Crosfields Football Club equipment for the event, contact Andy on 07789273636.