Peckham Town FC has been repeatedly targeted by vandals leaving the club ‘hurting’ and with a huge bill to foot.
The Menace, run by volunteers, posted on twitter that its team was devastated by the havoc wreaked on both its sites in the last few weeks.
“We love football and changing young people’s lives,” the club said in the first of a series of heartfelt tweets.
“The last few months have been really difficult for everyone.
“However we are hurting so much with the massive increase in vandalism on our two sites. Please stop.
“It’s not okay to break into our ground, have a picnic on the main pitch and then leave your litter.
“We spend many hours every week maintaining the main pitch to provide a quality surface for the best amateur players in south London.
“It’s not okay to climb on fragile roofs and smash up expensive goalposts.
‘We pay for this equipment from the subs our players pay.”
Rubble has also been dumped on the ground – which the club has had to pay to remove – and advertising boards have been ripped down and turned into makeshift skate ramps.
The club’s training ground has also been left badly damaged by cars being driven on the private pitch.
The club added: “We usually prefer to keep issues like this private but it has become so bad that we need the community’s help.
“We can’t be there 24/7. If you see suspicious activity, please let us know via DM or 07531 876 736.
“Despite these setbacks, we still love the game!
“If you are interested in helping out when football restarts, then please do get in touch.
“We always need more volunteers.”
It's not okay to climb on fragile roofs and smash up expensive goalposts. We pay for this equipment from the subs our players pay.
Please don't do this. Unsurprisingly we want goals to kick into when football restarts. 3/8 pic.twitter.com/Omj16rBfWD
— Peckham Town FC (The Menace) (@PeckhamTownFC) June 15, 2020
The pitches are among several green spaces that have been blighted by rubbish from picnics, BBQs and illegal parties.
Brunswick Park was once again left strewn with litter – most of it plastic – after a sunny weekend.